STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1759

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 634, 635

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. 634 and 635, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Environmental Council

G.M. No. 634	THERESITA KINNAMAN, for a term to expire 06-30-2024; and
G.M. No. 635	DAWN HEGGER-NORDBLOM, 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 Theresita Kinnaman and Dawn Hegger-Nordblom for service on the Environmental Council.

THERESITA KINNAMAN

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Theresita Kinnaman from the State Environmental Council and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Kinnaman's background, experience, and dedication to public service as an advocate for community needs and conservation qualify her for reappointment to the Environmental Council. Ms. Kinnaman has served on the Environmental Council since 2017, where she has provided important perspective from and representation for neighbor islands. During her tenure, Ms. Kinnaman testified and participated in numerous state and county hearings to advocate for natural and cultural environmental protections and worked with fellow members of the Environmental Council to promulgate new rules for environmental impact statements.

Your Committee notes that Ms. Kinnaman is Secretary of the cultural non-profit organization Hui Malama o Kāneiolouma and has served on the County of Kauai Open Space Commission, National Tropical Botanical Gardens Lāwa‘i Kai Resource Advisory Committee, and Koloa Community Association Board of Directors, where she has worked with community groups to balance the management of cultural and natural resources with desires to see areas used for conservation research, education, and appropriate recreation. Your Committee finds that Ms. Kinnaman has the experience, knowledge, and desire to contribute to the community and will continue to be an asset to the Environmental Council.

DAWN HEGGER-NORDBLOM

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Dawn Hegger-Nordblom

from the State Environmental Council and four individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Hegger-Nordblom's background, experience, and dedication to public service as an advocate for community needs and conservation qualify her for reappointment to the Environmental Council. Ms. Hegger-Nordblom has served on the Environmental Council as an interim appointee since November 2020. She has extensive experience as a planner working with federal, state, and local agencies in the private sector and as a former state employee, which has provided valuable contributions to the Environmental Council's discussions and roles. She has assisted in streamlining the administrative rules under the Environmental Council's purview and seeks to work with professionals and community members through quarterly education sessions on chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Ms. Hegger-Nordblom owns Ke Kai Planning LLC, an urban planning, permitting, and consulting service, through which she has familiarity with the National Environmental Policy Act, Hawaii Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and Clean Air Act. She has experience working with the Department of Defense, Department of Land and Natural Resources' Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands, City and County of Honolulu's Authority for Rapid Transit, and Hawaii National Guard and she has reviewed numerous environmental assessments and environmental impact statements. She has also worked with neighbor island communities in processing enforcement cases in Haena, Kauai, delivering additional farm dwelling agreement applications in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and preparing permitting procedures for the Olowalu Farm Project in Lahaina, Maui. She also possesses strengths in community planning, marine and terrestrial environments, and climate change, which is critical in ensuring the State meets its ambitious climate goals. Based on her knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service, your Committee finds that Ms. Hegger-Nordblom will continue to be an asset to the Environmental Council.

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