Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 237, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee notes that nominee Kawelo's middle initial was incorrectly reported in this Governor's Message and that the nominee's name should read "Janet E. Kawelo".

Your Committee received testimony in support of both nominations from the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Director of Budget and Finance, Director of Human Resources Development, Director of Human Services, Director of Taxation, Director of Transportation, Deputy Director of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Deputy Director of Accounting and General Services, and three individuals.

The nomination of Wayne H. Kimura was also supported by the Director of Commerce and Consumer Protection, State Comptroller, Stadium Authority, Building Industry Association of Hawaii, Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe LLP, and seven individuals. Janet E. Kawelo's nomination was additionally supported by the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Title Guaranty of Hawaii, Inc., Ocean Tourism Coalition, Trilogy Excursions, and three individuals.

Nominee Wayne H. Kimura has an extensive history of public service, having worked in both the executive and legislative branches of government. His professional experience includes working as a budget analyst/researcher for the Senate Ways and Means Committee, program budget analyst for the former Department of Social Services and Housing, Acting Program Budget Analysis Administrator for the Department of Budget and Finance, Acting Business Services Officer in the Lieutenant Governor's office, and as a planning and policy analyst in the Governor's office. More recently, Mr. Kimura served as Deputy Director of the Department of Budget and Finance and State Comptroller.

Nominee Janet E. Kawelo has a distinguished record of government and private sector experience. For fourteen years, she was a research officer in the Economic Research Division of First Hawaiian Bank. Using her expertise in economics, Ms. Kawelo helped the Senate Committee on Ways and Means draft and implement two constitutional amendments aimed at containing government spending via an expenditure ceiling. For eight years, the nominee worked as a researcher in the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, then served as Head Researcher for the Governor. More recently, the nominee served as Deputy Director of DLNR.

Both nominees are currently serving as interim PUC Commissioners. Your Committee learned that during the past few months that the nominees have served on the Commission, they have carried out their responsibilities in a careful, thoughtful, and conscientious manner and have given their serious and undivided attention to educating themselves on complex regulatory issues.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing 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.