STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3137

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 459

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 459, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Board of Agriculture

G.M. No. 459

MICHELLE M. GALIMBA, 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 Michelle M. Galimba to have the necessary qualifications for the Board of Agriculture.

     Testimony in support of the nomination was submitted by one state agency, one county Councilmember, six organizations, and eight individuals.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Ms. Galimba is nominated to be an at-large member of the Board of Agriculture.  She received her Bachelor's degree in Asian Studies from the University of Oregon, and her Master's degree and Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative Literature from the University of California – Berkeley.  She is presently a Rancher on her family's Kuahiwi Ranch which is located on 10,000 acres in the Kau District of Hawaii County.  In addition to her ranching duties, she is responsible for the accounting and marketing of the Ranch.  Ms. Galimba serves as Vice President of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Association, President of Ka Ohana O Honuapo, a member of the Big Island Resource Conservation and Development Council, and a member of the Kau Community Development Plan Steering Committee. 

     Ms. Galimba wishes to serve on the Board of Agriculture because she believes in the importance of nurturing innovative agricultural projects in the State.  She offers the unique perspective of being a young agricultural producer, and being a Kau Rancher.  Ms. Galimba understands the role of the Board of Agriculture to be to provide the Department of Agriculture with immediate feedback and input on programs, projects, and developments from actual practitioners.  In addition to her involvement in the cattle industry, she has worked in the papaya and coffee industries and thus can offer a broad perspective on issues.  She hopes to increase public awareness of the critical role that agriculture plays in increasing the State's economic and environmental sustainability, and decrease the barriers to young people joining the agricultural industry.  Your Committee looks forward to Ms. Galimba bringing her expertise, marketing experience, and fresh voice to the Board of Agriculture. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs 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 Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair