SSCR1897

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1897

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 580, 581, 582

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 580, 581, and 582, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Kane'ohe Bay Regional Council

G.M. No. 580

SYLVIA HUSSEY,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

G.M. No. 581

SYLVIA HUSSEY,

for a term to expire 06-30-2027; and

G.M. No. 582

JOSEPH PICKARD,

for a term to expire 06-30-2025,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Sylvia Hussey and Joseph Pickard for service on the Kane‘ohe Bay Regional Council.

SYLVIA HUSSEY

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Sylvia Hussey from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii State Aha Moku, and Ko‘olau Foundation. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Sylvia Hussey from one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Hussey's background, experience, and dedication to community service qualify her to be appointed to the Kane‘ohe Bay Regional Council as a representative of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Dr. Hussey currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, where she leads, guides, and directs the organization to fulfill its mission, within the parameters established by the Board of Trustees, to improve the well-being of Native Hawaiians. As CEO, Dr. Hussey has developed many important relationships within the government and nonprofit and private sectors and has substantial experience with the laws, policies, and practices that impact Native Hawaiians. Previously, Dr. Hussey served as the Executive Director for the Native Hawaiian Education Council and was a longtime administrator for the Kamehameha Schools.

Your Committee finds that Dr. Hussey, with her extensive background in high-profile management and administrative positions dedicated to the betterment of Native Hawaiians, possesses the qualifications to serve on the Kane‘ohe Bay Regional Council. Your Committee finds that Dr. Hussey is a pillar within the Native Hawaiian community and that her leadership and managerial experience will greatly enhance the Council's ability to not only protect the culturally sensitive Ahu O Laka sandbar, but execute the vision of the Kane‘ohe Bay Master Plan. Your Committee notes Dr. Hussey's dedication and tireless commitment in volunteering for the Council, despite her many other responsibilities and obligations. Your Committee finds that Dr. Hussey has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of Council members and therefore recommends that Sylvia Hussey be appointed and reappointed to the Kane‘ohe Bay Regional Council based on her knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

JOSEPH PICKARD

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Joseph Pickard from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii State Aha Moku; Matson Navigation Company, Inc.; Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club; Ko‘olau Foundation; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Joseph Pickard from one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Pickard's background, experience, and dedication to community service qualify him to be appointed to the Kane‘ohe Bay Regional Council as a Kane‘ohe Bay Commercial Operators Association representative of the Kane‘ohe Bay Fishing Panel. Mr. Pickard is a longtime Native Hawaiian business and local community leader. Mr. Pickard is currently the founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Native Hawaiian Community Development Corporation, where he helps to provide science, technology, engineering, and math education and career opportunities for Native Hawaiians. In addition, Mr. Pickard owns and operates three businesses: Community Planning and Engineering, Inc., a civil engineering firm; Environet, Inc., an environmental engineering and remediation service company; and Sea Hawaii, Inc., an ocean recreation, transport, and apparel company that originated in Kane‘ohe Bay. Before Mr. Pickard started his first business in 1989, he worked as an investment banker for Credit Suisse First Boston and was a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard. Especially relevant, Mr. Pickard was one of the founding members of the Kane‘ohe Bay Regional Council and served as a member from 2008-2012. Mr. Pickard is also a former president of the Kane‘ohe Bay Business Group.

Your Committee finds that Mr. Pickard, with his recognized passion and enthusiasm for the preservation of Kane‘ohe Bay, possesses the qualifications to serve on the Kane‘ohe Bay Regional Council. Mr. Pickard's prior experience as a former Council member and his over three decades of firsthand business experience operating within Kane‘ohe Bay, provide him with certain unique insights and perspectives that will help enhance future Council discussions. Your Committee acknowledges Mr. Pickard's lifelong dedication to Kane‘ohe Bay and lauds his desire to return to the Council. Your Committee finds that Mr. Pickard has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of Council members and therefore recommends that Joseph Pickard be appointed to the Kane‘ohe Bay Regional Council based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land 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 Water and Land,

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair