STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2148

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 512, 671, 672

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 512, 671, and 672, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants

G.M. No. 512	EMILY DONG, for a term to expire 06-30-2022;
G.M. No. 671	JON NAKASHIMA, for a term to expire 06-30-2023; and
G.M. No. 672	ROBERT SOUZA, for a term to expire 06-30-2023,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Emily Dong, Jon Nakashima, and Robert Souza for service on the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants.

EMILY DONG

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Emily Dong from the Department of Health and four individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Dong's background, experience, and dedication to advancing her profession qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants. Your Committee notes that Ms. Dong is a professional licensed engineer for Brown and Caldwell who has been involved with Hawaii's wastewater community for nine years. Ms. Dong also has eight years of engineering experience with the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Design and Construction, Wastewater Division, where she has worked on multiple wastewater management projects. Ms. Dong is the President of the Hawaii Water Environment Association and previously served as Chair of the Pacific Water Conference, the largest waste and wastewater conference in Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that Ms. Dong has served as an interim member of the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants since June 2018 and has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members. Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Dong be appointed to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants based on her knowledge, experience, and dedication to serving her industry.

JON NAKASHIMA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jon Nakashima from the Department of Health; County of Kaua‘i, Department of Public Works, Wastewater Management Division; one member of the Kaua‘i County Council; H2O Process Systems, LLC; and Hawaii Engineering Services, Inc.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Nakashima's background and experience qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants as the representative of the County of Kaua‘i. Your Committee notes that Mr. Nakashima has over twenty years of experience with the County of Kaua‘i Wastewater Management Division. Mr. Nakashima began his career as a Plant Operator and worked his way up to his current position of Field Operations Superintendent with a Grade 4 wastewater treatment plant operator certificate. Your Committee notes that over the course of his career, Mr. Nakashima has held multiple positions and is therefore familiar with the technical knowledge required to perform well at multiple levels of wastewater management, which will be an asset to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants. Furthermore, as a representative from the County of Kauai, Mr. Nakashima will be able to bring a valuable neighbor island perspective to the Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Nakashima be appointed to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants based on his knowledge, experience, and dedication to the Kaua‘i community.

ROBERT SOUZA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Robert Souza from the Department of Health and two individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Souza's background, knowledge, and proven leadership on the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants. Your Committee notes that Mr. Souza has almost thirty years of experience in the wastewater field, has held multiple positions within that field, and is currently the Metro Region District Supervisor at the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant for the City and County of Honolulu. Your Committee further finds that Mr. Souza holds a Grade 4 wastewater treatment plant operator certificate and has been a member of the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants for the past four years, including serving as Chair of the Board for the past year. Your Committee also finds that the technical expertise, historical knowledge of the industry, and leadership skills that Mr. Souza offers based on his many years of experience continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Souza be reappointed to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to his industry.

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