STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1563

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 502

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. 502, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Deputy Chairperson of the Department of Agriculture

G.M. No. 502

PHYLLIS SHIMABUKURO-GEISER, for a term to expire 12-3-2018,

begs leave to report as follows:

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

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nominee from Governor David Y. Ige; Department of Budget and Finance; Department of Human Services; Department of Transportation; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponic Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Central Maui Soil and Water Conservation District; South Oahu County Farm Bureau; East Oahu County Farm Bureau; Building Industry Association-Hawaii; 4 Ag Hawaii; East Kauai Water Users Cooperative; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Mikilua Farm Center; Hawaii Agriculture Research Center; Kauai Chamber of Commerce; DuPont Pioneer; EM Hawaii, LLC; Maui County Farm Bureau; Pacific Mariculture Concepts, LLC; Waikele Farms, Inc.; PRL English, LLC; Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United; and one hundred eighty-one individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nominee from one individual.

     Ms. Shimabukuro-Geiser earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  She went on to earn a Master of Science in Avian Sciences from the University of California, Davis.  With over thirty years' experience, Ms. Shimabukuro-Geiser's background in fresh egg production, management, and poultry feed has provided her with a wealth of knowledge in the poultry industry in Hawaii.  Since 2009, she has served as the President of Mikilua Poultry Farm, Inc. in Waianae.

     Ms. Shimabukuro-Geiser has also served on a number of boards and committees in the community, including the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Egg Producers Cooperative, United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Hawaii State Committee, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Cooperative Extension Veterinary Specialist Search Committee, and as a member-at-large for the Hawaii State Board of Agriculture.  Ms. Shimabukuro-Geiser has also received recognition from the agriculture community as the first female recipient of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation Outstanding Member award.

     Ms. Shimabukuro-Geiser's passion for and commitment to building sustainability, food resiliency, and quality of life for the people of Hawaii make her well-suited to serve as the Deputy 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