STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1749

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 752, 753

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. 752 and 753, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Moloka'i Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board

G.M. No. 752	OLIVIO ARIOS, for a term to expire 06-30-2017; and
G.M. No. 753	OLIVIO ARIOS, for a term to expire 06-30-2021,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Olivio Arios to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated for appointment and reappointment to the Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Olivio Arios from the Department of Agriculture and Molokai Farm Bureau.

     Mr. Arios holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of the Philippines at Los Banos, Laguna, and a Master's degree in Agriculture from California State University at Chico.  Mr. Arios has served as the Field Station Operations Leader for DOW AgroSciences/Mycogen Seeds LLC., at the Molokai Research and Development Field Station since May 2016, and prior to that for DOW AgroSciences/Phytogen Seeds LLC., at the Corcoran Research and Development Field Station from February 2014 to April 2016.  From June 2005 to June 2013, Mr. Arios was employed as a Research Associate and Associate Research Scientist at Syngenta Hawaii, LLC.  Mr. Arios has also operated a small farming business in an agricultural parks lot in Kahuku for almost twenty years, and served as a United Nations volunteer in Tanzania for over three years doing agricultural development works.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Arios' education, professional experience, and proven leadership further qualify him to be nominated for appointment and reappointment to the Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board as the designee of the Molokai County Farm Bureau, pursuant to section 167-23, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Testifiers commented that Mr. Arios has over twenty years of experience in Hawaiian agriculture, is a respected member of the Molokai community, and that his experience and knowledge will be invaluable to the Board.  The nominee indicated in his personal statement that his skills, knowledge, expertise, and technical training will guide him in his service on the Board, and he would like to ensure through his service that the Molokai Irrigation System is properly maintained and that water is available and affordable to all users.  The nominee noted his first-hand experience in using irrigation water from a state-run irrigation system through his own small farming operation.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Arios has sufficiently proven his residency by updating his Hawaii voter registration to his address on Molokai.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Arios will be an asset to the Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board based on his background and experience and supports his nomination.

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

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair