STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1645

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 711, 712, 713, 714, 715

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 711, 712, 713, 714, and 715, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

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

 

G.M. No. 711

RICHARD SUZUKI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021;

 

G.M. No. 712

ROBERT YUMOL,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 713

DAN HIROTA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021;

 

G.M. No. 714

ROBERT EGGLESTON,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019; and

 

G.M. No. 715

KEN OTA,

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 Richard Suzuki, Robert Yumol, Dan Hirota, Robert Eggleston, and Ken Ota to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects.

 

RICHARD SUZUKI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Richard Suzuki from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Suzuki's knowledge, background, and proven leadership on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects also qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects as a professional engineer member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Suzuki has over forty-seven years of professional experience as a civil engineer, including extensive experience as a design engineer for infrastructure development with a specialty in drainage.  Although currently retired, Mr. Suzuki previously held positions of responsibility with the State of Hawaii, City and County of Honolulu, and URS Corporation.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Suzuki has served on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects since July 2013 and through this position is an active participant with the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors, the national organization responsible for establishing the licensing standards for professional engineers and surveyors.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Suzuki be reappointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his background, extensive experience, and commitment to public service.

 

ROBERT YUMOL

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Robert Yumol from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Architects Hawaii, Ltd.; and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Yumol's background, knowledge, and prior experience on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects as a professional architect member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Yumol has over forty years of experience in the field of architecture and has been involved in the design and management of numerous projects throughout his career, including hotels, condominiums, office buildings, and single family and multi-family homes.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Yumol previously served on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects from July 2007 through June 2015 and represented the Board at most of the regional and national meetings.  Mr. Yumol is also the current Chair of the Rules Committee that supports the Board and has indicated a desire to continue assisting the Board in this capacity.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Yumol be appointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his extensive experience, knowledge, and dedication to serving the public.

 

DAN HIROTA

 

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

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Hirota's knowledge, background, and prior experience on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects qualify him to be nominated for appointment 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 twenty years of work experience as a land surveyor, land court surveyor, and civil engineer, and is the third generation of his family to practice his profession in the State.  Mr. Hirota previously served as a member of the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects from July 2008 to June 2016, including as past Chair, and was instrumental in representing the Board to finalize an updated 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's experience will be an asset to the Board and therefore recommends that Mr. Hirota be appointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 


ROBERT EGGLESTON

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Robert Eggleston from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Eggleston's background, experience, and commitment to public service qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects as a public member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Eggleston worked for forty-five years as a teacher and administrator with the Hawaii Department of Education, including serving as Principal of Aliamanu Middle School for over eleven years prior to his recent retirement.  Mr. Eggleston also served as a middle school industrial arts teacher for several years at the outset of his career in public education and indicated to your Committee that he continues to have an interest in the practice areas that the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects oversees.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Eggleston has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and his interest and dedication will be a valuable asset to the Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Eggleston be appointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his knowledge, background, and commitment to public service.

 

KEN OTA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Ken Ota from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Ota's background, experience, and proven leadership on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects also qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects as a public member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Ota has twenty-five years of experience in the water supply industry and is a dedicated member of his community, where he serves in numerous leadership roles for a variety of organizations, including his current positions as a board member for the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum and trustee for the Hawaii Section of the American Water Works Association.  Mr. Ota has served as a current member of the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects since May 2016 and previously served and held leadership positions on the Board.  Your Committee further finds that the expertise Mr. Ota gained during his prior service continues to be an asset to the Board and therefore recommends that Mr. Ota be reappointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his knowledge, 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