STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3974

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 798

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 798, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Commission on Water Resource Management

G.M. No. 798

WAYNE KATAYAMA, for a term to expire 06-30-2026,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Wayne Katayama for service on the Commission on Water Resource Management.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Wayne Katayama from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Office of the Mayor of the County of Kaua‘i; one member of the Kaua‘i County Council; Department of Planning of the County of Kaua‘i; Kaua‘i Chamber; Hawaii Farm Bureau; W.T. Haraguchi Farm, Inc.; Hawai‘i Pacific Health; Wilcox Medical Center; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and eighteen individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Katayama's knowledge, background, and proven leadership on the Commission on Water Resource Management qualify him for reappointment to the Commission, pursuant to section 174C-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Your Committee notes that Mr. Katayama has over forty years of leadership and experience in agriculture, including agribusiness, related to water resources and management, and previously served as President and General Manager of Kauai Coffee Company Inc. Mr. Katayama has also actively served as a member of a number of professional and community organizations, including as a board member of the Agribusiness Development Corporation, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Advisory Committee, Mayor of Kauai's Agriculture Advisory Committee, Hawaii Coffee Growers Association, and Hawaii Farm Bureau. Your Committee further finds that Mr. Katayama has served on the Commission on Water Resource Management since 2019. Mr. Katayama's experience and knowledge, especially pertaining to agriculture, agribusiness, and Kauai, will continue to be assets to the Commission on Water Resource Management. Your Committee therefore recommends that Wayne Katayama be reappointed to the Commission on Water Resource Management based on his background, experience, and dedication to public service.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair