STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3594

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 549

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 549, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control

 

G.M. No. 549

KATHLEEN S.Y. HO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Kathleen S.Y. Ho for service as the Director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Kathleen S.Y. Ho from the Governor, Department of Health, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Public Safety, Hawaii State Energy Office, SanHi Government Strategies, and forty-two individuals.

 

     Ms. Ho earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of California Hastings College of the Law, an Environmental Law LLM from the Lewis and Clark Law School, and a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Biology from the University of San Francisco.  In addition to her admission into the Hawaii Bar in 1983, Ms. Ho also was the Law Clerk for Judge Leland Spencer of the First Circuit Court in the State of Hawaii from 1983 to 1984.

 

     After completing her clerkship, Ms. Ho continued her legal career with Lee, Henderson, and Wong, where she specialized in insurance defense.  After making partner in 1990, Ms. Ho branched out and began working for the Department of the Corporation Counsel where she oversaw the defense of the City and County of Honolulu against constitutional and statutory claims involving environmental, excessive-force, and tort allegations.  In the following year, Ms. Ho began working as a Deputy Attorney General in the Health Division of the Department of the Attorney General, where she continues to be employed.

 

     For the last twenty-seven years, Ms. Ho has represented the State of Hawaii in all aspects of environmental law, including advice and counsel, procurement, rulemaking, defense and enforcement, which include issues relating to hazardous waste, solid waste management, natural resources damages, and environmental crimes.

 

     It was also during this time that Ms. Ho began advising the Office of Environmental Quality Control and the Environmental Council on various matters, including the drafting of their 1996 administrative rules.  From 1994 to 1997, Ms. Ho demonstrated her expertise on Environmental Quality Control matters as an Adjunct Professor for Hazardous Waste Law and Pre-Trial Litigation at the William S. Richardson School of Law.  Some of the awards and commendations she received throughout her career include a Certificate of Commendation from the U.S. Department of Justice, a Sustained Superior Performance Award from the Department of the Attorney General, and a Certificate of Appreciation and the Department of Health.

 

     Your Committee finds that testimony submitted in support of Ms. Ho's nomination universally speak positively as to her regulatory and legal experience in environmental health issues in Hawaii.  Testimony submitted by the Department of Health specifically praised her advocacy for environmental stewardship, which has resulted in numerous protections for the natural environment, as well as corrective actions for polluters and violators.  Additionally, testifiers commended her integrity, passion, and collaborative and effective leadership.

 

     After hearing from Ms. Ho and considering her resume and statement, your Committee finds that Ms. Ho demonstrates a high-level of understanding of the State's environmental review process, and her leadership experience and dedication to public service make her exceptionally qualified to serve as the Director of the Office of the Environmental Quality Control.

 

     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