STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3978

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 598, 599, 600, 601, 602, 603

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 598, 599, 600, 601, 602, and 603, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Environmental Advisory Council

 

G.M. No. 598

MICHELE LEFEBVRE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022;

 

G.M. No. 599

MICHELE LEFEBVRE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026;

 

G.M. No. 600

GORDON SCRUTON JR,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 601

MOANAOIO BJUR,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 602

RACHEL SPRAGUE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022; and

 

G.M. No. 603

RACHEL SPRAGUE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Michele Lefebvre, Gordon Scruton Jr., Moanaoio Bjur, and Rachel Sprague for service on the Environmental Advisory Council.

 

Michele Lefebvre

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nominations for the appointment and reappointment of Michele Lefebvre from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Lefebvre's extensive experience and knowledge regarding environmental assessments and impact statements qualify her for appointment and reappointment to the Environmental Advisory Council.  Dr. Lefebvre received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Boston University in Biology from the University of Utah.  She has received training and certification required for the preparation of documents under the National Environmental Policy Act, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and Hawaii Administrative Rules.  Dr. Lefebvre has prepared environmental assessments on a number of projects in the State, including the Royal Vistas Development Project in Kailua-Kona, wind energy project in Waikoloa, battery storage project in Honolulu, Kaloko Affordable Housing Project in Kaloko, and the Matsuyama Commercial Center, among others.  Dr. Lefebvre is also an active member of the National Association of Environmental Professionals and has served as a lecturer at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.  Dr. Lefebvre's extensive and direct experience in conducting environmental assessments and environmental impact statements in the State will be an asset to the Environmental Advisory Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Michele Lefebvre be appointed and reappointed to the Environmental Advisory Council based on her experience and knowledge.

 

Gordon Scruton Jr.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Gordon Scruton Jr. from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and General Contractors Association of Hawaii.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Scruton's extensive experience in building design and construction qualifies him to be appointed to the Environmental Advisory Council.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Scruton has over forty years of experience in the construction industry where he has worked as an operations manager, superintendent, site supervisor, and estimator.  Among the projects Mr. Scruton has contributed to are Keauhou Place in Honolulu, which consisted of a forty-three-story condominium high-rise and was developed in conjunction with a Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation rail station.  Mr. Scruton also worked on a $24 million exterior for Nordstrom at Ala Moana and a $256 million expansion of the Ala Moana Shopping Center.  Additionally, Mr. Scruton contributed to the development and construction of the Aulani Disney Vacation Club Resort & Spa at Ko Olina.  Mr. Scruton's knowledge of the construction industry in Hawaii will be an important asset to the Environmental Advisory Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Gordon Scruton Jr. be appointed to the Environmental Advisory Council based on his experience and knowledge in the construction industry.

 

Moanaoio Bjur

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Moanaoio Bjur from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Bjur's experience and knowledge in cultural and environmental preservation qualify her for appointment to the Environmental Advisory Council.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Bjur currently serves as the Executive Director of the Conservation Council For Hawaii, where she manages day to day operations, government and community partnerships, litigation efforts, volunteer and educational programs, and audits of expenditures and income.  Additionally, Ms. Bjur has previously served as Assistant Executive Director of Hi‘ipaka LLC, Director of Peace Child International Hawaii, Manager of External Affairs for Teach for America in Honolulu.  Ms. Bjur is also active in her community as a member of the North Shore Community Land Trust Board and a former member of the Honolulu Neighborhood Board No. 27, subdistrict 2.  Ms. Bjur's experience in cultural and environmental preservation and community engagement will be an asset to the Environmental Advisory Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Moanaoio Bjur be appointed to the Environmental Advisory Council based on her experience, knowledge, and leadership.

 

Rachel sprague

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nominations for the appointment and reappointment of Rachel Sprague's from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and nine individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Sprague's knowledge of wildlife conservation qualifies her for appointment and reappointment to the Environmental Advisory Council.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Sprague received her Ph.D. in fish and wildlife biology from the University of Montana.  Dr. Sprague has since worked in a range of wildlife conservation roles, including her current role as Director of Conservation for Lanai Resorts, LLC.  Previously, Dr. Sprague worked as a wildlife biologist and wildlife program manager for Lanai Resorts, LLC, and as a project manager for the San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike Release Program at the Institute for Wildlife Studies in San Diego.  Dr. Sprague has also served as the Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Coordinator and Assistant Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Coordinator at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office.  In addition to her professional experience in wildlife management, Dr. Sprague has served on the National Wildlife Federation Board of Directors and Conservation Council for Hawai‘i Board of Directors.  She has authored and co-authored numerous academic articles and books on wildlife in Hawaii and has been invited to give presentations at professional conferences, workshops, and public hearings.  Dr. Sprague's knowledge of wildlife management and conservation will be an asset to the Environmental Advisory Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Rachel Sprague be appointed and reappointed to the Environmental Advisory Council based on her experience, knowledge, and leadership.

 

     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