STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3441

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 706, 707, 708, 709

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 706, 707, 708, and 709, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board Of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, And Landscape Architects

 

G.M. No. 706

JOEL KUROKAWA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 707

KEN OTA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2017;

 

G.M. No. 708

KEVIN KATAYAMA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020; and

 

G.M. No. 709

MARC VENTURA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Joel Kurokawa, Ken Ota, Kevin Katayama, and Marc Ventura to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects.

 

JOEL KUROKAWA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Joel Kurokawa from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Hawaii Chapter, American Society of Landscape Architects; and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Kurokawa's knowledge, background, and prior experience on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects as a landscape architect member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Kurokawa has over twenty years of experience in the field of landscape architecture.  He practiced in California and Japan before returning to Hawaii in 1995 and is currently the Principal and Owner of his design firm, Ki Concepts, LLC.  Mr. Kurokawa is an active member of and has held leadership roles in the Hawaii Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, The Outdoor Circle, and Smart Trees Pacific.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Kurokawa has served on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects since January 2013, is the current Vice Chairperson of the Board, serves on the Board's Rules Committee, and represents the Board nationally as a member of the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System Committee.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Kurokawa be reappointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his background, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

KEN OTA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Ken Ota from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Ota's background, experience, and commitment to serving his community qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects as a public member representing Maui County.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Ota has twenty-five years' experience in the water supply industry.  Mr. Ota is also dedicated to community service and has served in numerous leadership roles for a variety of organizations, including his current positions as a board member for the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum, trustee for the Hawaii Section of the American Water Works Association, and board member for the American Water Works Association.  Mr. Ota also previously served on the University of Hawaii Maui College Chancellor's Advisory Council and the Maui Contractors Association Board of Directors.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Ota has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members by virtue of his prior experience and past leadership positions on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Ota be appointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his background, experience, and dedication to public service.

 

KEVIN KATAYAMA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Kevin Katayama from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Anbe, Aruga & Ishizu, Architects, Inc.; Iwamoto & Associates, LLC; and Kukulu LLC.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Katayama's knowledge, background, and prior experience on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects as a professional engineer member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Katayama has twenty-eight years of engineering experience and has been the President and Principal-in-charge of his consulting mechanical engineering firm, Katayama and Associates, Inc., for eighteen years.  Mr. Katayama also holds a number of professional memberships, including affiliations with the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers; National Fire Protection Association; Consulting Engineering Council of Hawaii; and the United States Green Building Council as an LEED Accredited Professional.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Katayama has served on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects since July 2013 and has represented the Board at national and regional conferences, and his many years of experience as a mechanical engineer continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Katayama be reappointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his background, experience, and desire to contribute to the community.

 

MARC VENTURA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Marc Ventura from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Shioi Construction, Inc.; and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Ventura's background, knowledge, and prior experience on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects as an architect member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Ventura has almost twenty-five years of architectural experience, encompassing all phases of design, risk management, construction documentation, project development, and construction management in a variety of building types, architectural styles, and project budgets.  Mr. Ventura has been licensed in Hawaii and California since 1992 and is the Founder and Principal of his architectural firm, Marc Ventura AIA, LLC, which he founded in Lihue, Kauai, in 1995.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Ventura was most recently appointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects in June 2015, represented the Board at national and regional conferences during his previous term on the Board, and his knowledge and insights regarding the field of architecture continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Ventura be reappointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health 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 Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair