HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP AWESC 007 02/05/2013 (2012-2014) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE,WATER AND
ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY
DATE: February 5, 2013, Re:Comm. No. 90
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 1:17 pm
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo,Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability, to which was referred
Comm.No. 90, reports as follows:
Communication No. 90, transmitted by Mayor Billy Kenoi, dated January 11, 2013, nominates
Robert P. White to a 4-year term on the Game Management Advisory Commission. Mr. White
is a 20 year resident of Hawai`i. In 1997 he opened and managed the Blue Water Hunter in
Kailua- Kona, and is the owner and operator. Mr. White states that he is not affiliated with any
political party.
Executive Assistant to the Mayor Charmaine Shigemura introduced Mr. Robert P. White as the
District 7 nominee for the Game Management Advisory Commission.
Mr. White was present in the Kailua-Kona Council Chambers and stated that as the owner and
operator of Blue Water Hunter in Kailua-Kona he has been able to talk to a wide variety of
people, from locals to tourists, about ocean and land environmental issues; and he will bring that
unique perspective to the Commission: He further stated he will represent both the subsistence
and the economic sides of issues and that he sees an economic opportunity to generate revenues
for the island from available resources. He added that people can both live off the land and make
a living from it too. Mr. White dives, fishes, and hunts, utilizing the rifle for sheep and the bow
for pigs and goats.
Council Member Ford confirmed that Mr. White is a hunter, fisherman, and diver and that his
business does not collect reef fish for sales to the aquarium trade.
Council Member Kanuha confirmed that Mr. White sells equipment to free water divers, such as
spear guns and stated that he felt that might represent a conflict of interest.
Council Member Onishi stated he supports this nomination with reservations because of
Mr. White's business philosophy versus the other nominee's personal philosophy.
AWESC Rept. No. 7
AWESC-7 Page 2 February 5, 2013
Council Member Kern stated that different and diverse attributes on the Commission are good
and he supports this nomination.
Committee Chair Wille stated she supports this nomination very strongly and that she disagrees
with the concerns that have been expressed. She further stated that she does believe this is an
economic opportunity and she supports the concept of certain areas to preserve and have no
hunting and other areas where the goal is to increase the density and increase the economic
opportunity, whether for hunting or tourism.
For informational purposes, Council Member Kanuha voted "kanalua" once and then "yes" with
reservations.
Mr. White is not required to be present at the final confirmation before the full Council.
Pursuant to Hawai`i County Charter Section 6-9.3, there shall be a game management advisory
commission consisting of nine members who shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by
the council.
Your Committee on Agriculture, Water and Energy sustainability is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Comm. 90 and recommends confirmation of the appointment of Mr. Robert P.
White to the County of Hawai`i Game Management Advisory Commission.
ds
AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
EOFF X
FORD x COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER
ILAGAN x AND ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY
KANUHA X
KERN X
ONISHI X / / 11/ /
POINDEXTER x MARGARE WILLE, CHAIR
WILLE X ° WESC REPORT NO.
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: FEB 2 0 3
Z0