STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1701

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 718

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

Board of Agriculture

G.M. No. 718

SIMON RUSSELL, for a term to expire 6-30-2016,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Simon Russell to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Agriculture.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Simon Russell from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Farmers Union United; Hawaii Farmers Union United, Kohala Chapter; Hawaii Farmers Union United, Kona Chapter; Maui Farmers Union United; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Tea Hawaii & Company; Kupa‘a Farms; Ilio Lani Farm, LLC; Kulahaven Farms; Ka‘u Specialty LLC; Haiku Aina Permaculture Initiative; The Trust for Public Land; Lualualei Hawaiian Civic Club; Ulupono Initiative; and ninety-two individuals.

     Mr. Russell is the owner of Hui ‘O Mālama ‘Āina in Makawao, Hawaii, a business that promotes commercial, organic, and sustainable agriculture and agricultural tourism operations.  Mr. Russell previously worked as Chief Engineer for Atlantis Cyberspace Inc., where he supervised shipping and receiving of electronics hardware, built prototypes, and beta tested hardware for the dismounted warfare training of the United States National Guard and Marines.  Currently, Mr. Russell serves as the State Vice President and Legislative Chairman of the Hawaii Farmers Union United.

     Mr. Russell indicated in his personal statement that he believes the Board of Agriculture can enable Hawaii to lead the way in developing new agricultural technologies, methods, and innovations.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Russell's background, experience, and dedication to public service qualify him for appointment to the Board of Agriculture as a representative of the County of Maui.

     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