STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3918

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 647

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 No. 647, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Game Management Advisory Commission

G.M. No. 647

NICHOLAI BARCA, for a term to expire 06-30-2027. (Nominee's name amended to NICOLAI BARCA by GM689),

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Nicolai Barca for service on the Game Management Advisory Commission.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Nicolai Barca from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Barca's experience, background, and dedication to serving the public qualify him for appointment to the Game Management Advisory Commission. Your Committee notes that Mr. Barca previously served on the Game Management Advisory Commission as the Kauai representative from 2019 to 2023. As a commissioner, Mr. Barca has served as an intermediary for Kauai's hunting community and the State and state agencies, contributed his knowledge of Hawaiian ecology and game mammals to the Game Management Advisory Commission to inform its decisions, and wrote and updated the Kauai Hunter Director for Landowners to help connect landowners to hunters and trappers in their area for assistance with pig problems. In addition to the Game Management Advisory Commission, Mr. Barca is a field coordinator for The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii-Kauai Program and also serves on the Na Ala Hele Kauai Advisory Council, representing hunter, fisher, and conservation interests. Your Committee further finds that Mr. Barca thoroughly understands the role and responsibilities of commissioners and his extensive experience in conservation and hunting will be assets to the Game Management Advisory Commission. Your Committee therefore recommends that Nicolai Barca be appointed to the Game Management Advisory Commission based on his knowledge, background, and dedication 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,

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair