STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1757

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 508, 509, 510

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 508, 509, and 510, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Advisory Committee on Pesticides

G.M. No. 508	CYNTHIA REZENTES, for a term to expire 06-30-2023;
G.M. No. 509	MATT LYUM, for a term to expire 06-30-2021; and
G.M. No. 510	MATT LYUM, for a term to expire 06-30-2025,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Cynthia Rezentes and Matt Lyum for service on the Advisory Committee on Pesticides.

CYNTHIA REZENTES

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Cynthia Rezentes from the Department of Agriculture; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; and five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the reappointment from two individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Rezentes' background, experience, and dedication to public service qualify her for appointment to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. Your Committee notes that Ms. Rezentes has served on the Committee since her appointment in 2017, where she has been integral in decision-making measures, such as the amendments to the regulation of pesticides and the addition of several pesticides, including clorpyrifos, to the list of state restricted pesticides. As a member of the Committee and the National Environmental Justice Advisory Committee, Ms. Rezentes has collaborated with various individuals in the academic, farming, corporate, and tribal arenas to understand the larger extent of effects of various pesticides in the environment.

Ms. Rezentes has diverse experience in the community, serving in multiple roles throughout the State, including the Nānākuli-Ma‘ili Neighborhood Board No. 36, Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board No. 24, O‘ahu Resource Conservation and Development Council, Ka Papa o Kakuhihewa Council, O‘ahu Island Land Trust, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, Mohala I Ka Wai, and Kealahou West O‘ahu. Based on her knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service, your Committee finds that Ms. Rezentes will continue to be an asset to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides.

MATT LYUM

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Matt Lyum from the Department of Agriculture; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Inc.; and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Lyum's background, experience, and dedication to public service qualify him for appointment to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. Your Committee notes that Mr. Lyum has experience in the landscaping sector, including founding his own business, Performance Landscape, in 2002, an organization of over one hundred employees, all of whom are trained in Environmental Protection Agency Pesticide handler and worker protocols. Through Performance Landscape, Mr. Lyum maintains a restricted use pesticides (RUP) license and possesses a license to manufacture Filtrexx siltsoxx, which provides that he is properly trained on the proper use, handling, storage, and effect of pesticides. He previously served as the Chair of the Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii's Pesticide Certification Committee. Mr. Lyum's knowledge of pesticide regulations, use, and safety will be an asset to the Committee in its deliberations to assist the Department of Agriculture in developing or revising its rules to effectuate the purpose of chapter 149, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Further, Mr. Lyum possesses additional professional experiences in aquaculture, organic waste management and recycling, and erosion control. He possesses a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries Biology from the University of Washington, providing him an understanding of chemicals and runoff on the environment. He is the former President of Waikalua Loko Fishpond Preservation and managed a compositing and renewable energy company for ten years. Your Committee further finds that based on his experience, knowledge, and desire to contribute to the community, Mr. Lyum will continue to be an asset to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides as a landscaping representative.

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

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair