Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 6, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon your review of background information submitted by the nominee, your Committee finds that Nelson Befitel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, with a minor in Sociology, from the University of Hawaii and a Juris Doctor degree from Arizona State University, College of Law. Mr. Befitel practiced with the law firm of Damon Key Kupchak & Hastert from 1998 to 2002. He has previously served as Deputy Corporation Counsel for the County of Maui, a law clerk for the Department of the Attorney General, a law clerk for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Maui, an investigator for the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, and a paralegal for the law firm of Libkuman, Ventura, Ayabe, Chong & Nishimoto.

Mr. Befitel has been highly active within the community, serving as a member and officer of many organization, including the American Bar Association, the Hawaii State Bar Association, the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, the State of Hawaii Election Advisory Committee, the Ala Moana Rotary Club, and the Kihei Youth Center. He has also served as the Chief Legal Advisor for Governor Linda Lingle's 2002 Gubernatorial Campaign and a volunteer with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Maui. Mr. Befitel was a finisher in the 2002 Austin Marathon and was named by Pacific Business News one of the Forty Under 40 for 2002 for his business skills, leadership, and community involvement.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nominee from numerous members of the business and legal communities, government officials and employees, members from community organizations, and private citizens.

Your Committee members diligently questioned the nominee regarding the relationship between the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), the private sector, and the labor unions, the DLIR's ability, under his leadership, to address problem areas of the DLIR and to provide services to the State's employees and employers in the face of limited resources. Your Committee believes that the nominee adequately responded to the Committee's inquiries.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, character, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.