STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3980

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 735, 853

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. 735 and 853, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Environmental Advisory Council

G.M. No. 735	MARY BEGIER, for a term to expire 06-30-2026; and
G.M. No. 853	STEPHANIE DUNBAR-CO, 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 Mary Begier and Stephanie Dunbar-Co for service on the Environmental Advisory Council.

Mary Begier

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Mary Begier from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Hawai‘i Association of REALTORS, and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Begier's knowledge and experience in Hawaii's real estate market qualify her for appointment to the Environmental Advisory Council. Your Committee notes that Ms. Begier is a licensed realtor and works as the principal broker and owner at Mary Begier Realty. Previously, Ms. Begier has worked as a realtor at several firms, including Prudential Orchid Isle Properties, Pan Pacific Properties, Worrall-McCarter Inc., Bradley Properties Ltd., and Baron Realty Corp. In addition to her work as a realtor, Ms. Begier is a member of many professional organizations, including the Honolulu Board of Realtors, Hawaii Association of Realtors, and National Association of Realtors. She has also been a member of the Hawaii Island Realtors since 1996, Council of Residential Specialists since 1992, and Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers since 2004. Your Committee further finds that Ms. Begier's expertise in Hawaii's real estate market will be an asset to the Environmental Advisory Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Mary Begier be appointed to the Environmental Advisory Council based on her experience and knowledge.

Stephanie dunbar-co

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Stephanie Dunbar-Co from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Dunbar-Co's extensive knowledge and expertise regarding environmental conservation qualify her for reappointment to the Environmental Advisory Council. Your Committee notes that Dr. Dunbar-Co received her Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dr. Dunbar-Co currently works as a climate and protection manager at the Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i and Palmyra. Previously, Dr. Dunbar-Co worked as the East Slope Project Manager at the Nature Conservancy Moloka‘i Program for six years between 2014 and 2020. Dr. Dunbar-Co is also an accomplished scholar in the biological sciences, where she has published many articles on botany and ecology in Hawaii. In addition to her professional and scholarly activity, Dr. Dunbar-Co is a dedicated member of her community. Dr. Dunbar-Co served as a board member on the Hawaii Environmental Council for the last five years. Dr. Dunbar-Co has also taught high school and elementary school students at Kamehameha Schools and University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources DNA Kids. Dr. Dunbar-Co's knowledge, expertise, and commitment to local communities will be an asset to the Environmental Advisory Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Stephanie Dunbar-Co be reappointed to the Environmental Advisory Council based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

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