STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3578

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 728, 729, 730, 732

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, and Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 728, 729, 730, and 732, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Koke'e State Park Advisory Council

 

G.M. No. 728

JOSE BULATAO, JR.,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014;

 

G.M. No. 729

MARY BUZA-SIMS,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015;

 

G.M. No. 730

CANEN HOOKANO,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014; and

 

G.M. No. 732

VAL TSUCHIYA,

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 Jose Bulatao, Jr., Mary Buza-Sims, Canen Hookano, and Val Tsuchiya to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Koke'e State Park Advisory Council ("Council").

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Jose Bulatao, Jr., from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

 

     Mr. Bulatao is an educator and holds a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and a Professional Certificate with a double major in English and Speech & Drama from the University of Hawaii.  Throughout his career, he has taught a wide range of classes at Waimea High School, Kauai High School, and Kauai Community College.  His contributions in his community are many, including teaching citizen preparation and English at the adult education level and working with senior citizens to coordinate a creative drama program and Filipino folk dance classes.  In recognition of his numerous contributions to the community, he has received numerous awards.  As a life-long resident of Kauai, Mr. Bulatao will make significant contributions to the Council.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Mary Buza-Sims from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

 

     Ms. Buza-Sims is an educator and has a Bachelor's degree in Education from Seattle University and a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Washington.  She has taught extensively in Seattle and has returned to her alma mater St. Theresa School in Kauai as its Principal.  She has been active in community affairs, participating in numerous committees and boards.  Her interest in the Council is to help indigenous plant life, preserve wildlife, update the area's beauty, and provide ease of access to the parks.  Her dedication to the community and education will be valuable to the Council.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Canen Hookano from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

 

     Mr. Hookano was born and raised on Kauai and has volunteered on many community projects.  His professional experience includes work on developing alternate sources of energy on the island of Kauai.  Additionally, he serves on the Kauai Workforce Investment Board, is a water resource management consultant to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and is active with the Kokee Leaseholders' Association.  If reappointed, he will be serving his second term and continuing to contribute the knowledge and expertise he has gained as the Chair of the Council.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Val Tsuchiya from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

 

     Mr. Tsuchiya was born and raised on Kauai and has a Bachelor's degree in Social Science and Master's degree in Special Education.  As an educator since 1968 at various schools on Kauai, he has worked with students who have learning, emotional, and other identified disabilities.  Throughout the years, he has become very familiar with Kokee and Waimea Canyon State Parks and has been on almost all the trails in those parks.  His knowledge and experience will bring a valuable local perspective to the Council.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Housing 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 Water, Land, and Housing,

 

 

 

____________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair