STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2679

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 269, 270

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 269 and 270, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Commission on Transportation

G.M. No. 269	RALPH J.W.K. HIATT, for a term to expire 6-30-2010; and
G.M. No. 270	RALPH J.W.K. HIATT, for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Ralph J.W.K. Hiatt from the Department of Transportation; Military Officers Association of America, Hawaii Chapter; Hawaii Wing Civil Air Patrol, and two individuals.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Ralph J.W.K. Hiatt received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawaii and graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.  He is a retired United States Army colonel.  Colonel Hiatt was the Director of the Pacific Aerospace Training Center from 2000 to 2009 at the Honolulu Community College.

     Your Committee notes favorably from the written statement of the nominee in response to the Committee's written questions:  "Commerce serviced by state transportation modes is the lifeblood of Hawai‘i.  A commissioner must be attentive and address the future multi-modal transportation needs of the state while advocating consumer safety and satisfaction, preserving the current infrastructure and remaining cognizant of Hawai‘i's environment considerations on all plans and projects.  With ambitious statewide modernization plans, a commissioner is expected to assist the DOT to ensure effective synchronization of airport, harbor, highway and, for Oahu rail plans, to gain consumer support and diminish congestion."

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair