SSCR3981

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3981

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 793, 795

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. 793 and 795, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force

G.M. No. 793

JUSTINE NIHIPALI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2025; and

G.M. No. 795

JONATHAN DEENIK,

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 Justine Nihipali and Jonathan Deenik for service on the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force.

Justine Nihipali

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Justine Nihipali from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and Hawai‘i Farm Bureau.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Nihipali's knowledge and expertise regarding the State's planning and disaster preparedness policies qualify her for appointment to the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force. Your Committee notes that Ms. Nihipali received her Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree from the University of Hawaii Department of Urban and Regional Planning. Ms. Nihipali currently works as the planning program manager for the Coastal Zone Management Program at the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development. Previously, Ms. Nihipali worked as a planning and policy analyst at the Office of Planning Coastal Zone Management Program and as a training program manager for the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center at the University of Hawaii. Ms. Nihipali's knowledge of the State's planning policies and expertise gained through her work at the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development will be assets to the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force. Your Committee therefore recommends that Justine Nihipali be appointed to the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force based on her knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

Jonathan Deenik

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jonathan Deenik from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the University of Hawai‘i System.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Deenik's extensive knowledge of the State's soil nutrient management and quality qualify him for appointment to the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force. Your Committee notes that Dr. Deenik earned his Ph.D. in soil science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is a member of the graduate faculty in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Additionally, Dr. Deenik has worked as a specialist in soil fertility in the Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa since 2016, where he has conducted extensive research on environmental quality, agricultural productivity, and human health. In conjunction with his research, Dr. Deenik has received grants totaling over $28 million and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles. In 2010 and 2015, Dr. Deenik earned the Chancellor's Citation for Meritorious Teaching at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dr. Deenik also earned the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2015. Finally, Dr. Deenik is an active member of the Soil Science Society of America and American Geophysical Union. Dr. Deenik's extensive knowledge of environmental management and soil health in Hawaii will be an asset for the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force. Your Committee therefore recommends that Jonathan Deenik be appointed to the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force based on his experience and knowledge.

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