STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3576

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 659, 660, 661, 662, 663, 664

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 659, 660, 661, 662, 663, and 664, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems

 

G.M. No. 659

DAVID DE LUZ JR,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021;

 

G.M. No. 660

HENK ROGERS,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022;

 

G.M. No. 661

KIMBERLY BINSTED,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 662

KIMBERLY BINSTED,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 663

LUKE FLYNN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023; and

 

G.M. No. 664

RACHAEL SOLEMSAAS,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by David De Luz, Jr.; Henk Rogers; Kimberly Binsted; Luke Flynn; and Rachael Solemsaas for service on the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems.

 

DAVID DE LUZ, JR.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of David De Luz, Jr. from the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. De Luz's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems.  Your Committee notes that Mr. De Luz has worked in the motor vehicle industry in the State for approximately forty years.  Mr. De Luz is currently Vice President of Special Projects at David S. De Luz, Sr., Enterprises, Inc.; which operates Big Island Toyota Inc.; De Luz Chevrolet; Kukaiau Ranch; and Hawaii Beef Producers.  Your Committee finds that Mr. De Luz has gained a thorough understanding of operating a successful business in the State and will be a great asset to the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. De Luz be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

HENK ROGERS

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Henk Rogers from the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems, Hawaii State Energy Office, and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Rogers's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify him to be reappointed to the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Rogers is one of the world's leading advocates and activists of space exploration.  He is the founder of the International MoonBase Alliance, which has brought together experts from around the world to conduct research to make space colonization a reality.  During the course of Mr. Roger's career, he has gained broad experiences and knowledge about space exploration and space science.  Your Committee further notes that Mr. Rogers has served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems since 2014 and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Rogers be reappointed to the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

KIMBERLY BINSTED

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Dr. Kimberly Binsted from the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Binsted's experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service qualify her for appointment and reappointment to the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Binsted has worked as a Professor at the University of Hawaii for eighteen years, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in artificial intelligence, astrobiology, space exploration, cognitive science, and design for mobile devices.  She also conducts research on human factors and behavioral health and performance in long-term space exploration, computational astrobiology, the evolution of intelligence, and human-computer interfaces.  Dr. Binsted has served in a principal role on numerous collaborative projects between the University of Hawaii and NASA in the area of human space exploration.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Binsted has served on the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems since 2016.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Binsted be appointed and reappointed to the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

LUKE FLYNN

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Dr. Luke Flynn from the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Flynn's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify him to be reappointed to the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems.  Dr. Flynn currently serves as the Director of the Hawaii Space Grant Consortium, Hawaii NASA EPSCoR Program, and Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory.  Dr. Flynn is a member of the Executive Committee of the National Space Grant Program and a faculty specialist and Associate Researcher for the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  In his various roles, Dr. Flynn has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing opportunities for Hawaii residents and others to pursue space-related research careers.  Dr. Flynn has authored forty peer-reviewed journal articles and more than sixty scientific abstracts.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Flynn has served on the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems since 2016.  Accordingly, your Committee finds that Dr. Flynn's aerospace knowledge and dedication to public service will be great assets to the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems.

 

RACHEL SOLEMSAAS

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Dr. Rachel Solemsaas from the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems.

 

     Your Committee notes that Governor's Message No. 664 contains a spelling error of Ms. Solemsaas' first name.  Your Committee has corrected the spelling of Ms. Solemsaas' first name in this report.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Solemsaas's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems.  Dr. Solemsaas is currently the Chancellor of the Hawaii Community College, where she serves as the chief executive officer and provides executive leadership in academic affairs, undergraduate education, professional training, student affairs, and more.  Dr. Solemsaas also has experience in public service having served as the Chief Financial Officer for the King County Department of Community and Human Services, Comptroller of the Snohomish County, and Chief Financial Officer of the King County Mental Health, Chemical Abuse, and Dependency Services Division of the Department of Community and Human Services.  Your Committee finds that Dr. Solemsaas's executive experience at various colleges and financial experience in the public sector will make her a great asset to the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Solemsaas be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism 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 Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

 

 

 

____________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair