STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1896

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 598

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 No. 598, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Legacy Land Conservation Commission

G.M. No. 598

KIM FALINSKI, for a term to expire 06-30-2026,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Kim Falinski for service on the Legacy Land Conservation Commission.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Dr. Falinski from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center, and eleven individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Dr. Falinski from one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Falinski's background, experience, and dedication to community service qualify her to be appointed to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission as a member possessing scientific qualifications as evidenced by an academic degree in wildlife or marine biology, botany, forestry, ecology, resource management, biogeography, zoology, or geology. Dr. Falinski holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in tropical plant and soil science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and currently serves as a Coastal and Estuarine Scientist for The Nature Conservancy, where she investigated submarine groundwater at Palmyra Atoll, collaborated with the federal government to understand the ecohydrological impacts of Heeia agriculture and wetland restoration, and worked with the Department of Health to develop quality assurance protocols and training materials to support statewide community-based water quality programs. Dr. Falinski also currently serves as an affiliate faculty member for the Water Resources Research Center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she helped map and monitor coral reef ecosystems and urban stormwater in West Maui. In addition, Dr. Falinski has published numerous works covering topics such as coral reef conservation and watershed and coastal zone management, and secured over $4,000,000 in grants and awards for various research studies and projects. Dr. Falinski is also involved in community boards and organizations, such as Hui o Ho‘ohonua and the Society of Wetland Scientists. Dr. Falinski also served on the Storm Utility Advisory Council and the Clean Water Natural Lands Commission of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that Dr. Falinski, with an extensive science and engineering background focused on the connectivity between the land, sea, nature, and people, possesses the qualifications to serve on the Legacy Land Conservation Commission. Your Committee further finds that testifiers in support have noted that, as an interim appointee, Dr. Falinski was an active, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable participant in the Commission's review of applications for land acquisition grant awards and that her knowledge and experience has brought valuable insight to the Commission's work. Your Committee finds that Dr. Falinski has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of commissioners and therefore recommends that Kim Falinski be appointed to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission based on her knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

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

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair