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. 340, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the testimony and written statements submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that Stephen K. Kawahara and Betty Lou Larson have the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the Rental Housing Trust Fund Advisory Commission ("Commission").

Stephen K. Kawahara is a Housing Director with the Steadfast Housing Development Corporation, which is a private nonprofit developer, operator, and manager of over thirty-five group homes and condominiums that service persons with serious mental illnesses. He earned his accounting degree from the University of Hawaii College of Business Administration. He is also a licensed real estate broker and member of the National and Honolulu Board of Realtors. Testimony supporting Mr. Kawahara's nomination was received from the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii, Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation, and one individual.

Betty Lou Larson is a social worker serving as Program Director with Catholic Charities Elderly Services, which counsels over five hundred elders each year and links them to housing options. She earned Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts in Asian Studies, and Master of Social Work degrees from the University of Hawaii. Ms. Larson is also the Director of the Hawaii Housing Development Corporation and a board member of Assisted Living Options Hawaii and Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance. Testimony supporting Ms. Larson's nomination was received from the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii and one individual.

Based upon the foregoing and the testimony submitted, your Committee finds that the nominees have been appointed based upon their credentials, integrity, and a desire to improve Hawaii through their service on the Commission.

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.