Senate panel favors water panel nominee

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

A Senate panel yesterday endorsed the appointment of Alexander & Baldwin executive Meredith Ching to the state Water Commission, but noted concerns about how commissioners are selected.

Lorraine Inouye, chairwoman of the Senate Water, Land, Energy and Environment Committee, said she will send a letter to the governor and those involved in selecting commissioners to register public concerns about the commission lacking an environmental voice. The letter urges the water commission and the nominating committee to seek qualified candidates from different backgrounds.

Some environmental groups and others had protested Ching's appointment at her confirmation hearing on Monday, saying Ching could not effectively serve on the Commission on Water Resource Management and work for A&B — a major water user — at the same time. They also said Ching's appointment would create an imbalance in the six-member commission, which includes a Del Monte fresh produce manager, a Kahua Ranch executive and an International Longshore and Warehouse Union director.

Ching, vice president of government and community relations at A&B, had said she would recuse herself from matters involving A&B and that she could separate her role at the corporation from her role as a commissioner. She was previously vice president of A&B's natural resources development.

The committee had initially delayed voting on the appointment because members appeared to be in deadlock. But yesterday it voted 6-1 to approve the nomination, which now goes before the full Senate for consideration. Sen. Bob Nakata, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku) a former water commissioner, cast the only vote against the nomination, saying that balance on the commission "has been totally thrown out of whack" with Ching's appointment.

Sen. Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waimanalo), said he was hesitant to vote in favor of Ching's nomination Monday but after doing more research he found overwhelming evidence she is qualified for the position.

You can reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.