STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3836

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     GOV. MSG. NOS. 681, 682, 683

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 681, 682, and 683, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects

 

G.M. No. 681

RON IWAMOTO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022;

 

G.M. No. 682

BRIAN FUJIWARA,

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

 

G.M. No. 683

BENEDICT LEE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Ron Iwamoto, Brian Fujiwara, and Benedict Lee for service on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects.

 

RON IWAMOTO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Ron Iwamoto from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Katayama & Associates, Inc.; and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Iwamoto's background, experience, and proven leadership on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the Board as a professional engineer member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Iwamoto has been a licensed professional structural engineer since 1996 and is the owner and principal of Iwamoto & Associates, LLC, a consulting structural engineering firm he founded in 2002.  Mr. Iwamoto is active in his community and in several professional organizations, including serving as past President for the Structural Engineers Association of Hawaii and the Hawaii Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.  Mr. Iwamoto was also selected as the 2018 Engineer of the Year by the Hawaii Council of Engineering Societies for his dedication, leadership, and contributions to the engineering profession.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Iwamoto has been a member of the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects since October 2014, currently serves as the Board's Chair, and the insights he has gained throughout his career as a structural engineer continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Iwamoto be reappointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his knowledge, background, and commitment to public service.

 

BRIAN FUJIWARA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Brian Fujiwara from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Palekana Permitting and Planning, and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Fujiwara's experience, background, and dedication to serving his community qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects as an architect member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Fujiwara has over thirty years of experience in the field of architecture, has been a licensed architect in Hawaii since 2000, and has worked on a variety of commercial and residential projects.  Mr. Fujiwara has continuously advanced in his career, progressing from draftsman to Owner and Principal of his architectural firm, BKF & Associates, LLC, in Honolulu, which he founded in 2003.  Mr. Fujiwara is also active in his profession and is a member of the American Institute of Architects, Honolulu Chapter.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Fujiwara has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and his professional experience in the field of architecture will be a valuable addition to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Fujiwara be appointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his background, knowledge, and desire to contribute to his community.

 

BENEDICT LEE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Benedict Lee from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Lee's background, knowledge, and proven experience on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the Board as a landscape architect member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Lee has been a landscape architect for thirty-five years and has been the Principal at his firm, Brownlie & Lee, for the past twenty-eight years.  Mr. Lee has also been involved in a wide range of residential, commercial, and recreational projects in the public and private sectors over his career; is registered as a landscape architect in Hawaii, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; is a certified arborist; and is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited professional.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Lee has been a member of the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects since February 2016 and his extensive experience as a landscape architect continues to be an asset to the Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Lee be reappointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his experience, background, and dedication to public service.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair