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him to step forward. According to the agenda, it says questions and answer session
<br />with Research and Development Director Randy Kurohara on the consolidation of
<br />boards and commissions (Ag and Energy). Although that’s the primary topic, I think
<br />there are other topics that we might want to bring up. Let’s address first the
<br />consolidation of Agriculture and Energy. First, is there anything that you would like to
<br />say first or just go into that?
<br />MR. KUROHARA:
<br />Actually, no I think I would like to address that one question
<br />because I think someone from our Agricultural Advisory Commission was here at the
<br />last meeting. So, I’m not sure if there’s any, like some kind of confusion or whatever,
<br />but I want to just make itclear that, can I address the question?
<br />MS. WONG:
<br />Yes please.
<br />MR. KUROHARA:
<br />Basically, so the question is, would there be any cost savings or
<br />does it make sense to combine these to make one commission, ag and energy
<br />commission. I guess my answer would be no. And the reason for that is that while both
<br />commissions are sort of tasked with sustainability goal in mind whether it’s agriculture or
<br />energy, the expertise level of these people is quite unique. So, there are very distinct
<br />challenges within the agricultural community as well as the energy community. There’s
<br />very distinct opportunities in both as well. For instance, let’s say with Agriculture, when
<br />you look at who is on the commission, we chose that based on, because it’s such a
<br />broad industry, based on theirexpertise level. So we have someone who represents
<br />the cut flower exporting market. We have someone on there that’s sort of a vegetable
<br />farmer. We have someone on there that specializes in forestry. We have someone
<br />there that specializes in water. So there’s like a diverse group of people of which
<br />specific knowledge based on experience and expertise that make up each of the
<br />commissions. Same with Energy. Someone there specializes more from the like say
<br />the hydrogen, or geothermal perspective. There’s someone on there that works for
<br />HELCO so they represent sort of like the utility mind set. Someone onthere that I think
<br />comes from more of the renewable solar photovoltaic type of expertise. So you have
<br />these again, both commissions have highly specialized people that sit on the
<br />commission. And to try and combine them and mix them up in a way where you try to
<br />come up with recommendations to the mayor specific to energy or agriculture, I think it
<br />might almost water down what the recommendations, the weight that it carries because
<br />again, you’re not having the right group of people making these recommendations. So
<br />again, let’s say when it comes to agriculture, some of the things that they look at include
<br />land, water, marketing, transportation, invasive species, research, bio-fuels, export
<br />flowers and plants, vegetables, fruits, grass fed beef, ranching and that kind of stuff,
<br />organic farming, orchard crops, inspections, value added and things of that nature.
<br />That’s sort of the issues that they address. In energy, it’s solar, wind, hydro,
<br />geothermal, deep sea energy conversion, hydrogen development, land use, legislative
<br />issues, education efforts, transportations, fleet management, electric cars, PUC issues.
<br />The only place where they kind of crossover maybe like bio-fuels, maybe in terms of
<br />land use. There might be similar types of things that may come up. But outside of that,
<br />they’re very distinct, separate as far as their agenda, as far as what they’re tasked to
<br />do. Hopefully that answers your question. What I did suggest is having them meet less
<br />often. So, again, if we go to maybe once every other month, that would cut down on
<br />some of the expenses in terms of travel cost, mileage and little food that we do put out
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