STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3800

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 699

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 699, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Endangered Species Recovery Committee

G.M. No. 699

KAWIKA WINTER, for a term to expire 06-30-2019,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Kawika Winter for service on the Endangered Species Recovery Committee.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Kawika Winter from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kauai Endangered Seabird Recovery Project, Kauai Albatross Network, and five individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Winter's background, knowledge, and experience in Hawaiian ethnobotany qualify him for appointment to the Endangered Species Recovery Committee as a representative with a background in native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices. Dr. Winter is currently employed as the Director of the Limahuli Garden and Preserve of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, where he has improved management of the living collection and its interpretation and advanced research initiatives and conservation programs. Dr. Winter has a doctorate degree and master's degree in botany from the University of Hawaii. Dr. Winter also serves on the Senior Management Team of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance Steering Committee, and E Alu Pū Network Advisory Council as a representative of Kaua‘i. He additionally works as Affiliate Graduate Faculty at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Your Committee finds that Dr. Winter brings to the Committee extensive expertise in native Hawaiian plants and conservation efforts to assist the Committee in its efforts to recover Hawaii's endangered species.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment 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 Agriculture and Environment,

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair