Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 347, 348, 407, and 408 submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the background information submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that the nominees are qualified to serve in the positions to which they are nominated. Your Committee further finds that the nominees are being appointed based on their professional credentials and integrity.

Testimony in support of all the nominees was received from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Ms. Elaine L. Hogue, currently the Community Development Officer and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Officer with American Savings Bank (ASB), is actively involved with communities throughout Hawaii. Through her leadership, ASB has been a key supporter of such nationally recognized programs as the "Ways to Work" family loan program. Through this program, financial assistance was offered to low-income parents who are unable to obtain traditional loans elsewhere, and helped pay for expenses that could interfere with their ability to keep a job or stay in school. ASB provided grant funds of $100,000 over five years to help start the program.

Additional testimony in support of Ms. Hogue's nomination was received from the Aloha United Way.

Ms. Anna Marie Springer, Senior Vice-President with American Savings Bank, heads the "Innovative Channels and Products Department". It was Ms. Springer who chose this unique department title to reflect the non-banking characteristics of her part of the operation --- the Customer Call Center, electronic services including ATMs and Internet banking, and ASB’s insurance and investment subsidiaries. She has worked at ASB for more than twenty-five years and has actively supported community institutions such as the Hawaii Community Loan Fund and Easter Seals Hawaii.

Additional testimony in support of Ms. Springer's nomination was received from American Savings Bank and Enterprise Honolulu.

Ms. Waynette Ho-Kwon, from the Island of Lanai, has been actively involved with local community activities through her company, Destination Lanai. She is Island Manager for the Aloha Festivals 2003 on Lanai and is also actively involved with Lanai’s 11^th Annual Pineapple Festival in July 2003. Her experience and knowledge in promotion and event information coordination will be an invaluable asset and resource for our communities struggling to promote and advertise their community economic development projects.

Dr. James T. West, a Maui businessman, is the owner and operator of the International House of Pancakes Restaurant in the Maui Mall. He employs forty-five people with approximately $2.3 million in sales per year. Dr. West holds a Ph.D. in Communications from the University of Utah, a Masters in Communication from San Jose State, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Ohio University. He is the 2003 President of the Maui Mall Merchants Association and was the recipient of the National Dissertation of the Year Award in 1992. In the area of community service, Dr. West is the current Treasurer for the Maui Scottish Rite organization, a member of the Maui Shriners, and past Treasurer for the Maui Masons.

Additional testimony supporting Dr. West's nomination was received from Island Enterprise and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony and statements submitted, your Committee finds that the nominees possess the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the Community-Based Economic Development Advisory Council.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development that are 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.