STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3145

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 394

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 394, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Environmental Council

G.M. No. 394

PETER H. COOPER, for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statements of the nominee, and finds Peter H. Cooper to have the necessary qualifications for the Environmental Council.

     Testimony in support of the nomination was submitted by one state agency.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Mr. Cooper is presently a member of the Environmental Council and represents the real estate industry.  He received his Bachelor's degree in Real Estate and Finance from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  He is currently employed as the Chief Executive Officer for Sun Power Hawaii, LLC and the President of Cooper & Cooper LLC.  He has thirty years experience in real estate development, having worked as the Project Manager for Development Associates, Inc. and as the Vice President for Construction Management & Development, Inc.  He is a member of the Sustainability Committee of the Hawaii Developers' Council, Secretary of the Hawaii Developers' Council, a Director for the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties – Hawaii Chapter, and a member of the Development Committee for the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corp Community Center Honolulu.

     Mr. Cooper is passionate about being a steward for the land and natural resources of Hawaii.  He is a strong environmentalist and capitalist, bringing a unique perspective to the Environmental Council that can build bridges.  In addition to his professional experience, he raises his own fish and vegetables for food in his backyard aquaponics garden.  He views his role on the Environmental Council as providing a balance between environmental protection and economic development, and he is hopeful that finding the appropriate balance will mean the next generation can stay in Hawaii and enjoy its natural abundance.  Your Committee appreciates Mr. Cooper's dedication, and looks forward to his continued dedication to this important body.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is 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 position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environment,

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair