STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3919

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 641, 679

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 641 and 679, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Legacy Land Conservation Commission

G.M. No. 641	ELIZABETH ROBINSON, for a term to expire 06-30-2028; and
G.M. No. 679	JOHN SINTON, for a term to expire 06-30-2028,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Elizabeth Robinson and John Sinton for service on the Legacy Land Conservation Commission.

ELIZABETH ROBINSON

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Elizabeth Robinson from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaiʻi Land Trust, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trial, and three individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Robinson's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify her for appointment to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission as a member possessing scientific qualifications as evidenced by and academic degree in wildlife or marine biology, botany, forestry, ecology, resource management, biogeography, zoology, or geology. Your Committee notes that since 2018, Ms. Robinson has served as the Director of Hawaii Life Real Estate Services' Conservation and Legacy Lands Initiative, leading the firm's efforts as a resource for owners and sellers of legacy properties with conservation values and working with local communities and Hawaii non-profit organizations to identify conservation and legacy lands across Hawaii to develop strategies for their protection. Ms. Robinson also serves her community as secretary of the North Kohala Affordable Housing Group, secretary of the Kohala Community Plan, and as a member of the North Kohala Access Group. Ms. Robinson has a Ph.D. in Mineral Economics from the Colorado School of Mines. Your Committee finds that Ms. Robinson thoroughly understands the role and responsibilities of commissioners and her expertise and dedication will be assets to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission. Your Committee therefore recommends that Elizabeth Robinson be appointed to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

JOHN SINTON

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of John Sinton from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Trust for Public Land, and five individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Sinton's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify him for appointment to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission as a member possessing scientific qualifications as evidenced by and academic degree in wildfire or marine biology, botany, forestry, ecology, resource management, biogeography, zoology, or geology. Your Committee notes that Mr. Sinton is presently a professor emeritus of the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Mr. Sinton possesses extensive experience in geological field mapping in addition to his expertise of Hawaiian geology, igneous petrology, volcanology, and marine geology. Mr. Sinton has a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Mr. Sinton has previously served as a Commissioner of the State's Legacy Land Conservation Program and has also served as Chair and as a Commissioner of the Hawaii Natural Area Reserves System Commission. Your Committee finds that Mr. Sinton thoroughly understands the role and responsibilities of commissioners and his background and knowledge will be assets to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission. Your Committee therefore recommends that John Sinton be appointed to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission based on his experience, knowledge, 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