STAND. COM. REP. NO. 849

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 513, 604, 605, 676

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 513, 604, 605, and 676, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

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

 

G.M. No. 513

JOEL KUROKAWA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2016;

 

G.M. No. 604

DAN HIROTA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2016;

 

G.M. No. 605

ROBERTO YUMOL,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015; and

 

G.M. No. 676

KEVIN KATAYAMA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2016,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Joel Kurokawa, Dan Hirota, Roberto Yumol, and Kevin Katayama to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects.

 


JOEL KUROKAWA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Joel Kurokawa from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Kurokawa's professional background, experience, and dedication to serving the public qualify him for appointment to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects as a landscape architect member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Kurokawa has more than twenty-five years of experience in the field of landscape architecture and practiced in California and Japan before returning to Hawaii in 1995.  Mr. Kurokawa is the current principal and owner of his design firm, and he strives to integrate sustainable design strategies in his work that are adapted to Hawaii's unique setting.  Mr. Kurokawa is familiar with board procedures and protocol by virtue of his prior experience serving on the Executive Committee of the Hawaii Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, board of The Outdoor Circle, board of Smart Trees Pacific, and as an interim member of the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects, where he has served since December 2012.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Kurokawa has been appointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his knowledge, professional experience, and commitment to public service.

 

DAN HIROTA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Dan Hirota from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and six individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Hirota's professional background, desire to contribute to the community, and prior experience on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects qualify him for reappointment to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects as a land surveyor member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Hirota has more than sixteen years of work experience as a land surveyor and engineer in Hawaii, and is the third generation of his family to practice his profession in the State.  Mr. Hirota has held several board positions, including past President, in the Hawaii Land Surveyors Association and has served on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects since July 2008.  Mr. Hirota was also the primary representative of the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects who worked with the Hawaii Land Surveyor Association, the Regulated Industries Complaints Office, and the Office of the Attorney General to finalize the definition of "land surveying" in a measure that was eventually enacted as Act 79, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Hirota has been reappointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

ROBERTO YUMOL

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Roberto Yumol from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and six individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Yumol's professional background, commitment to serving the public, and prior experience on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects qualify him for reappointment to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects as an architect member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Yumol has over thirty-five years of experience in the field of architecture, has been licensed in Hawaii for over twenty-five years, and has worked in all aspects of the discipline, including mentoring.  Mr. Yumol has managed numerous significant architectural projects throughout the State and has been an active member of the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects since July 2007, where he has volunteered to serve on committees and has represented the Board at most regional and national meetings.  Mr. Yumol is also an active participant of the National Council of Architectural Registration Board.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Yumol's expertise remains a valuable asset to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects, and recommends that Mr. Yumol be reappointed based on his knowledge, experience, and desire to contribute to the community.

 


KEVIN KATAYAMA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Kevin Katayama from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Coalition of Hawaii Engineering and Architectural Professionals, and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Katayama's professional background, experience, and dedication to public service qualify him for appointment to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects as a mechanical engineer member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Katayama has twenty-five years of engineering experience and has been the President and principal-in-charge of his consulting mechanical engineering firm for fifteen years.  Mr. Katayama is familiar with board procedures and protocol by virtue of his prior experience serving on the City and County of Honolulu Building Board of Appeals and his current experience as a board member for the Bobby Benson Center.  Mr. Katayama is also affiliated with the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers, National Fire Protection Association, Consulting Engineering Council of Hawaii, and the U.S. Green Building Council as an LEED Accredited Professional.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Katayama has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and has been appointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his knowledge, experience, and desire to contribute to the community.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair