Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 344, 345, 346, and 424, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the statements submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that the aforementioned nominees are volunteers, willing to serve without compensation, and will work with compassion and commitment to assist in administering various government functions. Your Committee further finds that the nominees have been appointed based upon their professional credentials, integrity, and a desire to make Hawaii better through their participation on the authority to which they have been nominated.

Your Committee notes the following specific qualifications of the nominees:

William J. Aila, Jr., the Department of Land and Natural Resource's Harbor Master for Wai`anae Boat Harbor, has been actively involved in community and maritime organizations.

Paul K. Kimura is a small business owner in Kakaako and a charter member and past president of the Kakaako Improvement Association.

Evelyn E. Souza is the Parent Community Networking Center Facilitator at Makakilo Elementary School and an active community member.

Maeda C. Timson, a vice president at First Hawaiian Bank, was the recipient of the 1994 Kapolei Outstanding Achievement Award for Community Service and the 2000 award for Lifetime Service. She has been actively involved in the planning of the Kalaeloa Redevelopment area, and is currently a member of the Makakilo/Kapolei/Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board.

Testimony in support of William J. Aila was submitted to your Committee by the Oahu Council Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and the Representative of the 45th District.

Testimony in support of Paul K. Kimura was submitted to your Committee by the Hawaii Community Development Authority, the Kakaako Improvement Association, and a colleague.

Testimony in support of Evelyn E. Souza was submitted to your Committee by the Parent Community Networking Center, and the principal and staff of Mauka Lani Elementary School, and by the Estate of James Campbell.

Testimony in support of Maeda C. Timson was submitted to your Committee by the Estate of James Campbell, the State Senator for the 19th District, City and County of Honolulu Councilmember for the 9th District, and four concerned citizens. One concerned citizen testified in opposition to the nominee.

Your Committee members diligently questioned the nominees regarding their administrative qualifications, their visions and priorities for the Authority, and related policy issues presently before the Legislature. Your Committee finds that Mr. Aila will be an asset to the Authority in the struggle to balance the preservation of historic and cultural sites as land development occurs in Kalaeloa. Mr. Kimura's experience as a small business owner gives him an important perspective that will be helpful in decision making as a member of the Authority. Ms. Souza has lived in Makakilo for more than thirty years, and has witnessed Kalaeloa's transition from plantation fields and a military base into a modern community. Ms. Timson has first-hand knowledge of the intricacies of city and state government and the process of local land development, having participated in the base reuse and closure process of the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station, as well as the City and County of Honolulu's community-based planning process for creation of the Ewa Development Plan.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture 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.