STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3797

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 827, 828, 829, 830

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 827, 828, 829, and 830, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Environmental Council

 

G.M. No. 827

ROY ABE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 828

IAN KAYE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 829

MICHAEL TULANG,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024; and

 

G.M. No. 830

PUANANIONAONA THOENE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Roy Abe, Ian Kaye, Michael Tulang, and Puananionaona Thoene for service on the Environmental Council.

 

ROY ABE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Roy Abe from the Hawaii State Energy Office and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Abe's experience and background in freshwater and nearshore/coastal water quality and ecosystems qualify him for reappointment to the Environmental Council.  Mr. Abe is a Vice President and a part-time retired Senior Project Manager of HDR, Inc., an employee-owned design firm specializing in engineering, architecture, environmental, and construction services.  Mr. Abe earned a Master of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Abe is a licensed civil engineer, who has completed many challenging wastewater, water, and infrastructure projects during a thirty-five-year career as a consulting engineer specializing in sanitary engineering.  He is also actively involved in the Hawaii Water Environment Association, the local affiliate of the Water Environment Federation.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Abe has served on the Environmental Council since 2017.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Abe be reappointed to the Environmental Council based on his knowledge and demonstrated commitment to public service.

 

IAN KAYE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Ian Kaye from the Hawaii State Energy Office and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Kaye's background and experience in management consulting and conservation qualify him for reappointment to the Environmental Council.  Mr. Kaye cofounded the Lanai Limu Restoration Project, and recently co-created Lanai Changes, a community development corporation dedicated to providing diversity in Lanai's economic future.  He is also the spokesperson for Friends of Lanai and provides consulting services to several Lanai nonprofit organizations through his management consulting firm, Dewey & Kaye, Inc.  Mr. Kaye currently serves on the Board of the Conservation Council for Hawaii.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Kaye has served on the Environmental Council since 2017.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Kaye be reappointed to the Environmental Council based on his experience and demonstrated commitment to public service.

 

 

MICHAEL TULANG

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Michael Tulang from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ponoholo Ranch Limited, and four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Tulang's experience and background in agriculture and conservation qualify him for reappointment to the Environmental Council.  Your Committee notes that before his retirement in 2009, Mr. Tulang worked for the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service from 1967 to 1996 in various roles.  He also served as the Executive Director of the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts from 1996 to 2002.  Mr. Tulang earned both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Agricultural Resource Economics from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Your Committee further notes that Mr. Tulang was a member of the Hawaii County Council from 2002 to 2004.  He is currently an active board member for the Boys and Girls Club and the Hawaii Island Workforce and Economic Development Ohana.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Tulang also currently serves on the Environmental Council and that his experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Environmental Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Tulang be reappointed to the Environmental Council based on his knowledge and demonstrated commitment to public service.

 

PUANANIONAONA THOENE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Puananionaona Thoene from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Carlsmith Ball LLP, and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Thoene's background and knowledge in real property, environmental, land use, and administrative law qualify her for reappointment to the Environmental Council.  Ms. Thoene is currently a partner at Carlsmith Ball LLP, where she has practiced since 2013.  She received her juris doctorate, magna cum laude, from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, William S. Richardson School of Law with certificates in environmental law and native Hawaiian law, and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, cum laude, from the University of San Diego.  Ms. Thoene currently serves on the Oahu Island Advisory Council for the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Thoene has served on the Environmental Council since 2016 and has been the Chair of the Environmental Council since 2018.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Thoene be reappointed to the Environmental Council based on her knowledge, experience, and demonstrated commitment to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment 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 Agriculture and Environment,

 

 

 

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair