STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3178

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 437, 438, 439, 440

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 437, 438, 439, and 440, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants

G.M. No. 437	RONALD G. HAY, for a term to expire 6-30-2012;
G.M. No. 438	LEE A. MANSFIELD, for a term to expire 6-30-2014;
G.M. No. 439	AUDREY K. UYEMA PAK, for a term to expire 6-30-2011; and
G.M. No. 440	VIRGILIO A. VIERNES, for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Ronald G. Hay, Lee A. Mansfield, Audrey K. Uyema Pak, and Virgilio A. Viernes to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants.

     Testimony in support of Ronald G. Hay's nomination to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants was received from the Department of Health and the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that Ronald G. Hay has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and holds Grade 4 wastewater treatment plant operator certifications in Hawaii and New Mexico.  Mr. Hay is currently the Manager of Wastewater Systems for the Hawaii Water Service Corporation on the island of Hawaii.  Mr. Hay has over twenty-nine years of experience in the wastewater industry with past employment spanning design work, operations, teaching, and management. 

     Your Committee believes that Mr. Hay's mix of practical, teaching, and managerial experience give him a well rounded perspective of the wastewater industry that will help him to provide valuable insight to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants.

Testimony in support of Lee A. Mansfield's nomination to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants was received from the Department of Health and the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that Lee A. Mansfield earned a Bachelor of Science degree and then a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.  He has applied his education over a more than thirty‑year career.  After achieving the position of Senior Vice President at GMP Associates, Mr. Mansfield moved on to a manager position at Hawaii American Water Company.  In this position, Mr. Mansfield oversees the East Honolulu Community Systems wastewater system, which includes the East Honolulu Community Services Wastewater Treatment Plant, wastewater pump stations, and the sewer collection system serving Hawaii Kai.

     Your Committee further finds that Mr. Mansfield's career has made him more than qualified for the position of professional engineer in private practice with the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants.  Your Committee believes that he will be an asset to the Board.

Testimony in support of Audrey K. Uyema Pak's nomination to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants was received from the Department of Health and the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

Audrey K. Uyema Pak received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering followed by a Master's degree in Civil Engineering.  She has over fourteen years of experience in the wastewater and environmental engineering fields and currently works in the Wastewater Branch of the Department of Health as an Environmental Engineer where she frequently works with wastewater treatment plant operators.

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Pak's interactions with wastewater treatment plant operators make her aware of operator concerns and uniquely situated to bring their point of view to the Board.  Your Committee further appreciates Ms. Pak's eagerness to contribute to our community.

Testimony in support of Virgilio Viernes' nomination to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants was received from the Department of Health and the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Virgilio Viernes only began his career in the wastewater industry in 2002 when he took a position as an Assistant Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator.  In a meteoric rise, by 2007 Mr. Viernes attained the position of Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent for the County of Maui where he oversees five major wastewater treatment plants on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai.  Mr. Viernes is certified as a Grade 4 (highest grade) wastewater treatment plant operator.

     Mr. Viernes' aptitude, experience, and boundless energy will make him an asset to the Department of Health and the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants.  Your Committee appreciates his willingness to serve our community.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees 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 Health,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair