STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1337

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 644

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 644, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Board of Certification of Operation Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants

G.M. No. 644

KEVIN NAKAMURA, for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Kevin Nakamura and finds that Mr. Nakamura is a well-qualified nominee for the position on the Board of Certification of Operation Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants. 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Kevin Nakamura from the Department of Health, Hawai‘i Water Environment Association, and five private citizens.

     Mr. Nakamura has over twenty-one years of wastewater treatment plant experience.  Mr. Nakamura holds a Grade IV Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate and is currently a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations Superintendent for Aqua Engineers, Inc.  In his current role, Mr. Nakamura supervises fourteen employees and is responsible for the overall management of the wastewater system, which includes the wastewater treatment plant and collection system for the Schofield Barracks Military Base.  In his previous employment at the Division of Wastewater Treatment and Disposal at the Department of Environmental Services, City and County of Honolulu, Mr. Nakamura oversaw the work of four employees and planned, coordinated, and directed the long-range goals and objectives of a specific wastewater treatment region.  Mr. Nakamura was also responsible for budget review and planning. 

     Mr. Nakamura has a Bachelors of Arts degree in History from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and has completed numerous statewide wastewater operator training courses.  Mr. Nakamura is a member of the Hawaii Water Environment Association and will represent the Association on the Board.  Mr. Nakamura's excellent work has not gone unnoticed.  In 2001, Mr. Nakamura was named the Employee of the Quarter by the City and County of Honolulu Division of Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, and in 1996, he received the Association's William D. Hatfield Award, which is given to a wastewater treatment plant operator who has shown outstanding performance and professionalism. 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Nakamura's technical and operational knowledge of wastewater treatment facilities will add value to the Board of Certification of Operation Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health 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 Health,

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, M.D., Chair