Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee notes that Governor's Message No. 293 included the nominations of Nadine K. Nakamura and Lawrence M. Johnson. These nominations are considered in separate committee reports.

Upon review of the testimony and information submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that Sharon R. Weiner and Stephen K. Yamashiro have the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Testimony in support of both nominees was received from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii Hotel Association, and Pacific Management Consultants, Inc. Additional testimony in support of Ms. Weiner was received from the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Honolulu Zoo Society, Peter Rosegg Public Relations, and one individual.

Testimony in support of Mr. Yamashiro was received from Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii, Aloha Festivals Island of Hawaii, Destination Hilo, Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference, Mauna Kea Resort, Cook's Discoveries, Riehm Owensby Planners Architects, Kea`au Banana, and thirteen individuals. Aloha Y'all, Hawaii Island Planning Advocates, Kia`i Kai Bed & Breakfast, and twenty-three individuals submitted testimony in opposition.

Sharon R. Weiner is a public relations professional with over twenty-five years experience in Hawaii, including twenty years as owner and President/CEO of Weiner Associates/Stryker Weiner Associates, and most recently as Group Vice President of DFS Hawaii. She has extensive experience in Hawaii's tourism industry, as first Executive Director of the Visitor Industry Education Council, Director of the Japan-America Society of Hawaii, and a member of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and Waikiki Improvement Association. In her public relations practice, Ms. Weiner has represented Starwood Hotels and Resorts, United Airlines, the Oahu, Maui, and Kauai Visitors Bureaus, and has worked with both Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines on various projects. She has served on the Aloha Stadium Authority and is currently a member of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents. Ms. Weiner has received numerous awards for her work and community involvement, including Woman Communicator of the Year, YWCA Woman Leader of the Year, and University of Hawaii College of Business Outstanding Alumna, among others.

Stephen K. Yamashiro was first elected to the Hawaii County Council in 1976, and served as Council Chairman from 1977 to 1988. He was elected Mayor of Hawaii County in 1992 and reelected in 1996, retiring from the position in 2000. Mr. Yamashiro is a graduate of the University of Hawaii and Willamette University College of Law. In addition to his political career, he served as Deputy Attorney General for the State of Hawaii and Deputy Corporation Counsel for the County of Hawaii. Early in his career, Mr. Yamashiro also worked in various management positions at Kaimana Beach Hotel. He is active in the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs 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.