STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1700

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 662, 663, 664

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 662, 663, and 664, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Land and Natural Resources

 

G.M. No. 662

KEITH DOWNING,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021;

 

G.M. No. 663

SAMUEL GON III,

for a term to expire 06-30-2017; and

 

G.M. No. 664

SAMUEL GON III,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Keith Downing and Samuel Gon III to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

 

KEITH DOWNING

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Keith Downing from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

 

     Keith Downing owns and operates Downing Hawaii, reportedly Hawaii's oldest surf shop, and has been a member of Surfing Education Association since 1973.  Mr. Downing is the son of big-wave pioneer George Downing and a prize-winning big-wave rider and paddler who has been surfing since the age of five.  Mr. Downing has a Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Art from California College of Arts.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Downing has the experience, background, and commitment to Hawaii's resources to qualify for appointment to an at-large seat on the Board of Land and Natural Resources.  Testimony received by your Committee indicates that since being nominated to the Board in 2015, Mr. Downing has brought his passion, knowledge, respect for the ocean, and unique perspective based on his specific knowledge and family traditions to the wide-ranging matters that the Board must consider.  The nominee indicated in his personal statement that serving on the Board has been a significant life experience and emphasizes the need for more community participation and engagement by the Board.  Mr. Downing notes that he brings a distinct perspective to the Board due to his life experiences and sees his role on the Board as that of an educator, listener, and learner.  Based on Mr. Downing's knowledge, experience, and commitment to the ocean and natural resources of the State, your Committee finds that Mr. Downing will continue to be an asset to the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

 

SAMUEL GON III

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Samuel Gon from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, Ocean Tourism Coalition, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and twenty-two individuals.

 

     Samuel Gon III received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Zoology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and a Master of Arts degree in Zoology and a Ph.D. in Animal Behavior from the University of California, Davis.  Dr. Gon is the Senior Scientist and Cultural Advisor for The Nature Conservancy in Hawaii and has extensive teaching, research, and administrative experience.  Dr. Gon has also published numerous academic articles in his field and is a member of several scientific societies.

 

     Your Committee finds that Dr. Gon has the experience, background, and commitment to public service to qualify for appointment and reappointment to the Board of Land and Natural Resources for the Oahu seat and meets the requirements for an expert in natural resources and Hawaiian traditional and customary practices.  Your Committee finds that the nominee previously served two four-year terms on the Board, stepped down in 2014, and is now eligible to serve two additional four-year terms.  Testifiers commented that Dr. Gon brings broad knowledge of Hawaiian natural and cultural resources to the Board, extensive experience in Hawaiian ecology, and a demonstrated commitment to the protection of Hawaii's natural heritage.  The nominee indicated in his personal statement that he found his prior service on the Board to be personally satisfying and was told by staff that they valued his contributions at the time.  Dr. Gon noted that he is a born and raised member of the Third Land District.  He also recounted his demonstrated expertise in Hawaiian traditional and customary practices as a kumu and a chanter trained by noted master John Keolamakaainana Lake and put through traditional uniki huelepo and as an imiloa devoted to life-long learning in Hawaiian language, tradition, and history.  Based on Dr. Gon's knowledge, background, and commitment to Hawaiian tradition and culture, your Committee finds that Dr. Gon will continue to be an asset to the Board of Land and Natural Resources for the seat in which he has been nominated.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land 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 Water and Land,

 

 

 

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair