STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2025

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 627

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 627, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects

G.M. No. 627

HOWARD LAU, 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 Howard Lau for service on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Howard Lau from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Howard Lau from one individual. Your Committee notes that the testimony submitted in opposition to this nominee contained no substantive information or commentary relating to his appointment.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Lau's background, knowledge, and previous experience on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (Board) qualify him for appointment to the Board as a structural engineer member from Oahu. Your Committee notes that Mr. Lau has over forty years of experience in structural and civil engineering and has been licensed as a structural engineer in Hawaii since 1978. Mr. Lau has been a structural engineering principal advisor with Coffman Engineers since 2022, after serving as President of Shigemura, Lau, Sakanashi, Higuchi & Associates, Inc. for twenty-four years. During the course of his career, Mr. Lau has served in various leadership capacities for structural and civil engineering associations at both the local and national level, including the Structural Engineers Association of Hawaii (past President), Light Gauge Steel Engineers Association- Hawaii Chapter (past President), and Light Gauge Steel Engineers Association (past National Director and National Vice President). Your Committee further finds that Mr. Lau previously served on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects and his extensive experience and knowledge will be assets to the Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Howard Lau be appointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection 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 Commerce and Consumer Protection,

____________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair