STAND. COM. REP. NO. 995

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 621, 622, 623

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 621, 622, and 623, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

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

 

G.M. No. 621

TONY LAU,

for a term to expire 06-30-2025;

 

G.M. No. 622

KEVIN KATAYAMA,

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

 

G.M. No. 623

DAN HIROTA,

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 Tony Lau, Kevin Katayama, and Dan Hirota for service on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects.

 

TONY LAU

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Tony Lau from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; American Society of Civil Engineers Hawaii Section; Iwamoto Engineering Consultants, Inc.; MKE Associates LLC; and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Lau's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be appointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects as a professional engineer member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Lau has been licensed as a professional civil engineer since 1996 and has nearly thirty years of engineering experience.  Mr. Lau is presently a civil engineering branch manager for capital improvements, as well as a civil engineering technical discipline coordinator, for Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Hawaii.  Mr. Lau is also an active member in professional and community organizations, has served as the American Society of Civil Engineers Hawaii Section's President, Younger Forum Member President, and Professional Exam Refresher Course Chairperson.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Lau has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and his extensive experience will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Lau be appointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

KEVIN KATAYAMA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Kevin Katayama from the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects; Iwamoto Engineering Consultants, Inc.; Anbe, Aruga & Ishizu, Architects, Inc.; and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Katayama's background, knowledge, and prior experience on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects qualify him for appointment to the Board as a professional engineer member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Katayama has been a licensed mechanical engineer in Hawaii since 1993.  Mr. Katayama has over twenty-seven years of experience as an engineer and is currently the President and Principal-in-Charge of Katayama and Associates, a consulting engineering firm that provides design and construction supervision relating to air conditioning, ventilation, plumbing, fire protection, and energy management systems.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Katayama previously served on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects where he made significant contributions to the Board's deliberations, served on the the Rules Committee, and assisted with the proposed licensure for fire protection engineers.  Mr. Katayama's experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Katayama be appointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

DAN HIROTA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Dan Hirota from the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects; Iwamoto Engineering Consultants, Inc.; and four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Hirota's experience, knowledge, and proven leadership on the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects qualify him for reappointment to the Board as a surveyor member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Hirota has nearly thirty years of experience in civil engineering and surveying and has been licensed as a land surveyor in Hawaii since 2002.  Mr. Hirota has devoted much of his professional career to the development of high-end resort residential communities along the gold coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, and is presently employed as senior engineer and surveyor of Coffman Engineers, Inc.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Hirota has served as a member of many professional and community organizations and has served on Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects since 2008 where he currently serves as Chairperson.  Mr. Hirota's experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Hirota be reappointed to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects based on his knowledge, background, and desire to serve his 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