STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3520

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  GOV. MSG. NO. 148
                                        




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was
referred Governor's Message No. 148, submitting for study and
consideration the nominations of:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

     G.M. No. 148       BERT L. HATTON, LARRY G. JEFTS, DENIS C.
                        H. KAM, CHRIS J. KANAZAWA, YUKIO
                        KITAGAWA, DIANE L. LEY, ALLAN A. SMITH,
                        and ROBERT S. SUTHERLAND, for terms to
                        expire June 30, 2001, 

begs leave to report as follows:

     Upon review of the statements submitted by the nominees,
your Committee finds that the aforementioned nominees are
volunteers, willing to serve without compensation, who will work
with compassion and commitment.  Your Committee further finds
that the nominees have been appointed based upon their
professional credentials, integrity, and a desire to make Hawaii
better through their participation on the Board of Directors of
the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) to which they have
been nominated.

     Your Committee notes the following specific qualifications
of the nominees:

     Bert L. Hatton currently serves as manager for
agriculture/natural resources for the Estate of James Campbell.
A former executive director of the ADC, Mr. Hatton was also

 
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instrumental in the acquisition of Waiahole Ditch.  He holds a
degree in civil engineering and has extensive experience in
Hawaii's agricultural industry.

     Larry G. Jefts is president of a farming operation in Kunia
that is the State's largest producer of import replacement crops,
including watermelon, tomatoes, and bell peppers.  He holds a
degree in business administration and has been a full time
farmer, both on the mainland and in Hawaii, since 1970.

     Denis C. H. Kam, Executive Vice President, Hawaii National
Bank, is responsible for loan portfolio management and credit
administration.  He has twice been the recipient of awards from
the U.S. Small Business Administration.

     Chris J. Kanazawa, a real estate development and investment
consultant, served for many years as president of the real estate
division of AMFAC/JMB.  He holds an MBA in accounting and
finance, and is a member of numerous professional and community
organizations, including the Urban Land Institute and the Land
Use Research Foundation, of which he is a past president.

     Yukio Kitagawa, retired Chairperson of the Board of
Agriculture, began his career in the Cooperative Extension
Service in 1958.  He holds a master's degree and has been
involved in a wide range of agricultural issues over his many
years with State government.

     Diane L. Ley is administrative assistant with the Big Island
Farm Bureau Federation, where she is responsible for the daily
operations of the Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, and Kona chapters.
Ms. Ley has been involved in various phases of the agricultural
industry in Hawaii for over twenty five years and is active in a
number of professional and community organizations.  She has been
a member of the ADC board since 1997.

     Allan A. Smith, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer,
Grove Farm, Co., has extensive experience in plantation field
operations management and serves on many business and community
organizations.  He holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural
economics and has been a member of the ADC board since 1994.

     Robert S. Sutherland is currently a trustee of the John T.
Waterhouse Trust and manages ranch operations.  He holds a
bachelor's degree and began his agriculture career with the
Hawaii Sugar Planters Association in 1958.  He has been involved
with sugar and papaya for many years and has extensive knowledge
of farming operations in these areas.


 
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     Testimony in support of these nominees was received from the
Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness Development Corporation,
Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Agriculture Research Center.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your
Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this
report, your Committee, after full consideration of the
background, character, 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 Economic
                                   Development,



                                   ______________________________
                                   LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

 
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