Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Technology, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 293, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the testimony and statements submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that each of the nominees has the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the Small Business Regulatory Review Board. Your Committee received testimony in support of Maile V.O. Romanowski from BIA-Hawaii. Your Committee received testimony in support of Katsumi Tanaka from the State Representative from the 25th District. Your Committee received testimony in support of Warren Orikasa and Katsumi Tanaka from Hawaii Flooring Association.

Your Committee received testimony in support of each nominee from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Carolann G. Guy is a mortgage broker with Four Star Mortgage in Maui. She is a member of the Hawaii Association of Mortgage Brokers, Maui Business & Professional Women, and a board member of PACT. In 1994, Ms. Guy received the U.S. Small Business Administrations' Advocate for Women in Business Award. Her past memberships include chairperson for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Maui Philharmonic Society, American Heart Association, and Kihei Youth Center.

Al M. Inoue is president of Pacific Area Consultants Corporation and Inoue Hawaii Realty Corporation located in Hilo. The companies provide consulting and counseling services in residential and commercial real estate development, financing, marketing, market research, entitlements, planning and construction. Mr. Inoue is a graduate of Realtors Institute, a certified real estate brokerage manager, and holds a Hawaii real estate broker's license.

Robert Speers, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist, will be an important contributor to the Review Board on medical and health issues. Dr. Speers is CEO and president of Rainbow Rehabilitation Service, Inc., a health care company specializing in mental and physical rehabilitation. He is a member of Hawaii Psychological Association and American Psychological Association.

Nolan S.B. Ahn is the owner and president of Anuenue Associates Financial Planners located in Lihue. His business provides life, health, and disability insurance as well as business investment products. Mr. Ahn is a member of Society of Financial Services Professionals, National Association of Life Underwriters, Treasurer of Kauai Chamber of Commerce, a moderator for Life Underwriter Training Council, and Chairperson of Lihue Credit Union.

Dennis Okihara, a former sugar company employee, is president of Haupu Growers in Waimea, Kauai. Haupu Growers has nearly 300 acres comprised of premium coffee, asparagus, papayas, and seed corn. At peak production, Haupu Growers employs thirty employees. Prior to starting Haupu Growers, Mr. Okihara operated a part-time nursery that concentrated in seasonal poinsettias.

Phyllis N.T. Shea is a certified public accountant and has owned Shea & Co., CPA's Inc. since 1979. Ms. Shea is currently serving on the board of Sacred Hearts Academy, Association for Retarded Citizens, Lanakila Rehabilitation Center, and Palolo Chinese Home. She is a member of many accounting associations including American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants, Hawaii Association of Public Accountants, and American Society of Women Accountants.

Sidney A. Quintal has been president of Sun Industries, Inc. for twenty years. The company specializes in contract installation of highway safety products and selling metal support systems, custom signage and graphics, and personal and industrial safety products. In addition to serving on the Small Business Regulatory Review Board, Mr. Quintal is a director of the Hawaii Visitors Industry Security Association.

Maile V.O. Romanowski is vice president of Jas. W. Glover, Ltd., serving Hawaii's construction industry as a general contractor, sub-contractor, and material supplier for more than sixty-five years. Ms. Romanowski is a director of Building Industry Association of Hawaii, Construction Industry Legislative Organization, and General Contractors Association of Hawaii.

Katsumi Tanaka is the owner and president of E Noa Tours and Waikiki Trolley. Much of Mr. Tanaka's professional career has been in the area of "crossborder" transactions. He served as a negotiator-advisor on behalf of multinational corporations in the areas of mergers, acquisitions, licensing, joint venturing and private and public financing.

Warren Orikasa will offer a strong presence to the Review Board from the island of Maui. He is owner and president of Maui Carpet & Drapery, a retailer and contractor of commercial carpet and drapery. Mr. Orikasa is director and treasurer of Hawaii Flooring Association, member of Maui County's Board of Variance and Appeals, and Community Plan Review Board; and he holds a Hawaii contractor's license.

Your Committee finds that all nominees have been appointed based upon their credentials, integrity, and a desire to improve Hawaii's small business climate through service on the Small Business Regulatory Review Board.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees, 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 recommend that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.