SSCR1562

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1562

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 501

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 501, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Chairperson of the Department of Agriculture

G.M. No. 501

SCOTT ENRIGHT,

for a term to expire 12-31-2018,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal history and resume submitted by the nominee and finds Scott Enright to possess the requisite commitment, sincerity, dedication, and qualifications to be nominated as the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nominee from Governor David Y. Ige; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Department of Human Services; Department of Budget and Finance; Department of Transportation; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; University of Hawaii at Hilo; Dow Agrosciences; Biotechnology Industry Organization; CropLife America; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Ulupono Initiative; G.I.S.T.C. Inc.; Hawaii Farm Bureau; PRL English, LLC; DuPont Pioneer; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Central Maui Soil and Water Conservation District; Carpenter & Carpenter, Inc.; Kunia Village Title Holding Corporation; Molokai Farm Bureau; South Oahu County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Fish Company; Tea Hawaii & Company; East Oahu County Farm Bureau; Building Industry Association-Hawaii; Young Brothers; 4 Ag Hawaii; Kulahaven Farms LLC; Monsanto Hawaii; Waikele Farms, Inc.; Pacific Mariculture Concepts, LLC; Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Cooperative; Rosehill & Associates; Hamakua Agricultural Cooperative; Kauai Kunana Dairy; The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii; Syngenta Hawaii; Hawaiian Humane Society; Waimea Nui Community Development Corporation; Hawaii Island School Garden Network; KTA Superstores; Kauai Chamber of Commerce; Counter Culture Foods + Ferments; Meadow Gold Dairies; Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United; Molokai Chamber of Commerce; Lalamilo Farm Lots Association; Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponic Association; Hawaii Pacific University; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaii Agriculture Research Center; Big Island Dairy; Hawaii Pest Control Association; Hawaii Farmers Union United; Kunoa Cattle Company; Moloa‘a Irrigation Cooperative; Kauai Taro Growers Association; Maui County Farm Bureau; and one hundred fifty-one individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nominee from three individuals. Your Committee received comments from the Humane Society of the United States, Animal Rights Hawaii, and two individuals.

Mr. Enright earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. He subsequently enrolled in several courses in a Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University, but that degree has not yet been conferred. Throughout his career, Mr. Enright has lived and worked on each of the five major islands in the State, providing him with a wealth of experience in the agricultural industry in Hawaii. He served as the Orchard Superintendent for Kilauea Agronomic, managing field operations for a 500 acre guava orchard; as the Cultivation and Irrigation Superintendent for Hamakua Sugar Company, managing a 30,000 acre sugar plantation; as a Project Manager for ITC Water Management, Inc.; and as a Consultant to Cordon Technologies, LLC, planning and developing innovative agricultural techniques and conservation processes to increase food and energy independence and security on the Big Island. From 2012 through 2013, he served as Deputy to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture. He was appointed Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture in January of 2014.

Mr. Enright has also served on a number of commissions and boards in the community, including the Board of the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Community Development Plan Steering Committee for Hamakua District, Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation Board, Environmental Management Commission for the County of Hawaii, and Hawaii State Governor's Council of Neighbor Islands Advisors for East Hawaii. He is currently the President of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Along with Mr. Enright's tremendous leadership and managerial skills, his extensive experience in sustainable agriculture and water management makes him ideally suited to serve as Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

____________________________

RUSSELL E. RUDERMAN, Chair