SSCR1722

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1722

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 669, 670, 671

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 669, 670, and 671, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Legacy Land Conservation Commission

G.M. No. 669

WILLIAM HAASE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

G.M. No. 670

THERESA MENARD,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021; and

G.M. No. 671

JACOB TAVARES,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds William Haase, Theresa Menard, and Jacob Tavares to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission.

WILLIAM HAASE

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of William Haase from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, The Trust for Public Land, Advance Wildlife Education, and fifty-one individuals. Your Committee received comments on the nomination for the appointment of William Haase from one individual.

William Haase is the founding Executive Director of the Molokai Land Trust and has served on the Board of Directors for Hui Hoolana, a healing and arts retreat center in central Molokai. Mr. Haase holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Evergreen State College. Mr. Haase has extensive nonprofit administration experience and has been serving as an interim appointee to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission since November 2016.

Your Committee finds that Mr. Haase has the background, experience, and commitment to public service to qualify for appointment to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission as a resident of Moloka‘i and possessing membership in a land conservation organization organized in the State, pursuant to section 173A-2.4, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Testifiers commented that from the start of his interim appointment on the Commission, Mr. Haase has been an attentive and insightful participant, and that his experience with land trust operations and financing is an asset to the Commission. Testifiers noted his extensive background and knowledge in matters relevant to the Commission, and that Mr. Haase is respectful of Native Hawaiian culture and concerns and works well with local communities. The nominee indicated in his personal statement that serving on the Commission is a way to give back to the community through involvement in the process of how to best invest limited conservation funds to advance the protection of Hawaii's unique and precious natural resources. Mr. Haase noted that through his professional experience, he has first-hand knowledge of the process of applying for Legacy Land Conservation Program grants and has a strong understanding of successful land management and the tools available for land acquisition and stewardship activities. Your Committee further finds that the Commission will benefit from the skills and experience that Mr. Haase will contribute to the Commission.

THERESA MENARD

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Theresa Menard from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, and nine individuals.

Theresa Menard received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, with specialization in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master of Science degree in Zoology, with specialization in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Ms. Menard has been employed at The Nature Conservancy since 2002, and is currently a Geographic Information Systems Specialist. Ms. Menard has specialized skills in ArcGIS (mapping) and Vortex Population Modeling. Ms. Menard has published numerous academic articles in her field.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Menard has the education, skills, and experience which further qualify her for reappointment to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission as a member possessing scientific qualifications as evidenced by an academic degree, as specified in section 173A-2.4, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Testifiers commented that Ms. Menard is the current Chair of the Commission and has nurtured strong and productive working relationships with the other members of the Commission and the staff at the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Testifiers noted that Ms. Menard's background, expertise, and technical skills in biology, ecology, planning, geospatial analysis, and mapping are a great asset to the work of the Commission. The nominee indicated in her personal statement that serving on the Commission has been a career highlight and that she would like to continue to use the skills and talents she has developed as a conservation professional to assist the Commission in its effective use of state resources. Ms. Menard noted that her educational and professional background in science gives her the ability to evaluate the scientific value of projects that the Commission reviews. Your Committee further finds that the Commission will continue to benefit from the education and specialized skill-set that Ms. Menard will bring to the Commission through her reappointment and continued service.

JACOB TAVARES

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jacob Tavares from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Ponoholo Ranch Limited, and one individual.

Mr. Tavares is a Project Manager for Livestock Diversification at Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company and the sole proprietor of Anchor T Ranch. Mr. Tavares received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Gonzaga University. Mr. Tavares is an active community participant and is a member of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Maui Cattlemen's Association Board member, Director of the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil and Water Conservation Board: Olinda-Kula District, and Committee member of the Maui County Nutrition & Physical Activity Coalition.

Your Committee finds that Mr. Tavares has the background, experience, and commitment to community and public service which further qualify him for appointment to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission as a resident of Maui and possessing membership in a statewide agricultural association, pursuant to section 173A-2.4, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Testifiers commented that Mr. Tavares brings to the Commission the otherwise lacking participation of a dedicated, progressive representative of the agricultural future. Testifiers noted the nominee's extensive knowledge and experience as a sixth-generation Hawaii rancher and contemporary leader in the corporate transition from sugar-planting to diversified agricultural production. The nominee indicated in his personal statement that as a multi-generational resident of Hawaii with a long history of family participation in land and natural resource stewardship, he has a deep-rooted connection to the overall purpose of the Commission. Mr. Tavares noted that his professional background has allowed him to see agricultural and conservation efforts across the State and has given him an understanding of the many similarities and differences each island faces in conserving natural resources. Your Committee further finds that the Commission will benefit from the background and experience that Mr. Tavares will bring to the Commission.

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

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair