SSCR3476

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3476

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 754, 755

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. 754 and 755, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Commission on Water Resource Management

G.M. No. 754

JONATHAN STARR,

for a term to expire 6-30-2016; and

G.M. No. 755

TED YAMAMURA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2016 (term amended to 6-30-2015 by GM921),

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Jonathan Starr and Ted Yamamura to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Commission on Water Resource Management.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Jonathan Starr from the Governor, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Budget and Finance, People Aligned in Positive Action, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Trilogy Corporation, Maui Venture Consulting LLC, Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, PAHIO Development, Inc., Greenleaf Farm, Maui Tomorrow, Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, Whispering Winds Bamboo Inc., Ohialani Gardens, Olinda Organic Farm, and twenty-four individuals. Testimony in opposition to the nomination of Jonathan Starr was received from one individual. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs submitted comments.

Mr. Starr has over forty years of experience in water source development and resource management projects. Additionally, he studied and has expertise in traditional Hawaiian and Polynesian water resource management techniques. He is also active in his community, having served a four-year term on the Maui Board of Water Supply and a five-year term on the Maui Planning Commission, including two years as the Commission's Chairperson. His background and experience have made him a sought-after speaker throughout Hawaii on the subject of water law, history, equity, technology, and resource protection for numerous organizations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Ted Yamamura from the Governor, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Maui County Farm Bureau, Land Use Research Foundation, Pacific Resource Partnership, Island Insurance Companies, PAHIO Development, Inc., SSFM International, Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association, McCandless Ranch, Maui Cattlemen's Council, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, and fifty-one individuals. Testimony in opposition to the nomination of Ted Yamamura was received from Earthjustice, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, and forty individuals. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and two individuals submitted comments.

Mr. Yamamura is one of the founders of ACM Consultants, Inc., which is one of the largest and most experienced independent real estate consulting, valuation, and research companies in Hawaii. In addition to his work experience, Mr. Yamamura is actively involved in his community. He has been a past member of the Board of Land and Natural Resources from 2001-2006, former president of the International Right of Way Association, Hawaii Chapter No. 30 in 2004, member of the County of Maui Board of Water Supply since 2008, and the past president of the Hawaii Chapter of the Appraisal Institute in 2010. With his work experience and community involvement, Mr. Yamamura will bring valuable insights to the issues before the Commission on Water Resource Management.

As numerous testifiers have indicated that the nomination process is in need of review, your Committee recommends a review of the existing nomination process for subsequent sessions. However, at this time your Committee is limited to addressing only the candidates that are put forth for nomination in this measure and finds both nominees qualified to serve on the Commission on Water Resource Management.

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