STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3160

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 395

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Energy and Environment and Economic Development and Technology, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 395, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Board of Directors of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai'i Authority

G.M. No. 395

MICHAEL BUCHAL, for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

beg leave to report as follows:

     Your Committees have reviewed the personal history, resume, and statements of the nominee, and find Michael Buchal to have the necessary qualifications for the Board of Directors of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority.

     Testimony in support of the nomination was submitted by one state agency, one county agency, nine organizations, and twelve individuals.  One state agency submitted comments.  Written testimony presented to the Committees may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Mr. Buchal is nominated to represent West Hawaii.  He received his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Reed College and his Master's degree in Fisheries Science from Oregon State University.  Mr. Buchal is presently employed as an Aquaculture Consultant for several organizations including the Big Island Abalone Corporation and the Keahole Point Association.  He spent nine years working directly for the Big Island Abalone Corporation as a Vice President, President, and Manager.  He has numerous published articles on aquaculture issues.  He has served as the President of the Keahole Point Association and as the tenant representative on the Board of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority.  In 2002, while he was President of the Big Island Abalone Corporation, the Corporation won the Governor's New Exporter Award and in 2003 won the Governor's Exporter of the Year Award.  In 2004, he was a finalist for the Business Leadership Hawaii Awards. 

     Mr. Buchal understands the challenges of developing and operating a business in Hawaii and at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority.  He is familiar with the Board of Directors processes and has supported the Authority as a tenant business, tenant representative, and a member of the public.  He would like to see the Authority fulfill its potential to be a world class energy research and aquaculture park, and would like to support the Authority being a test bed for developing and demonstrating renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, wave, and biofuel.  He wants to improve the Authority's relationship to the tenants, by helping the Authority achieve fiscal self-sufficiency and gaining tenant collaboration and support.  He believes that if the tenants are satisfied with the Authority's position, the Authority will achieve its goal of being a world class energy and aquaculture development and commercialization facility. 

     Mr. Buchal acknowledges that his recent consulting work for tenants of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority may raise concerns of potential conflicts of interest.  He recognizes that he cannot in good faith consult with tenants during his term of service on the Board of Directors and will recuse himself from discussions if a conflict of interest arises.  Mr. Buchal will represent the interests and goals of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority and should any potential conflict of interest arise, he will seek appropriate counsel from the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority or the State Ethics Commission. 

     Your Committees look forward to Mr. Buchal bringing his extensive experience with the Authority and as a businessperson to the Board of Directors of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Environment and Economic Development and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees, 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 recommend that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Environment and Economic Development and Technology,

____________________________ CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair

____________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair