STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1006

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 592, 593

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation and International Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 592 and 593, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Commission on Transportation

G.M. No. 592	JOHN A. ERVIN, for a term to expire 6-30-2015.; and
G.M. No. 593	SHAWN SMITH, for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee received testimony in support of John A. Ervin from the Department of Transportation, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and seventeen individuals.

     John A. Ervin worked most recently with the California Correctional Center in Susanville, California in various supervisory capacities.  He has also worked previously as the President and Chief Executive Officer of his own restaurant and catering business and as a Forestry Technician for the United States Forestry Service.  Mr. Ervin is a graduate of Saint Louis High School in Honolulu and studied forestry and business at Lassen College in California.

     Your Committee notes from the testimony of the nominee that he finds serious transportation issues in Hawaii, including gridlock on highways, high shipping costs for consumer goods, and high costs of interisland airfares.  Mr. Ervin also expressed to your Committee that he desires a resolution of Hawaiian ceded lands issues involving seaports and airports but understands that the solution must include Kanaka maoli rather than be unilaterally decided by a member of the Commission on Transportation.

     John A. Ervin's work experience includes county, state, and federal work and entrepreneurialism, which give him a unique perspective on government and private-sector issues.  Your Committee believes that the nominee's background, education, experience, and yearning for public service qualifies him to serve on the Commission on Transportation.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Shawn Smith from the Department of Transportation.

     Since 2003, Shawn Smith has been the General Manager for Falko Partners, LLC, on Kauai.  As General Manager, he is the Director of Operations for various land, water, and agricultural management functions, including state and county land use requirements and permitting.  He previously served with the Patrol Division and Youth Service Division of the Kaua‘i Police Department.

     The nominee received a Bachelor of Science degree in Government Relations from the University of Oklahoma at Norman.  He has been active in community affairs on Kauai, including serving as Vice President of the Kaua‘i Police Activities League since 2004 and Coach for AYSO soccer since 2005, and serving previously as Director of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce from 2007 to 2010 and Board member of the Kula School from 2004-2007.

     Your Committee finds that the nominee's familiarity and hands-on experience in managing and working with planners, engineers, attorneys, field crews, and various government agencies will enable him to provide valuable insights and counsel to the Commission on Transportation.

     Your Committee believes that the nominee's background, education, experience, and yearning for public service qualifies him for the position to which he is being nominated.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and International Affairs 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 Transportation and International Affairs,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair