Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 288, 289, 290, 291, and 292, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, résumés, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds the nominees to have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to the Small Business Regulatory Review Board.

Your Committee received testimony in support of JEANETTE OTSUKA CHANG from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, a member of the Kauai County Council, and six individuals. Ms. Otsuka Chang graduated from the University of Hawaii and established her own small business in clothing design and manufacturing while simultaneously raising her three children. Ms. Otsuka Chang is presently the President of the family business, Otsuka's, a position she has held since 1999. In that short period of time, she has revitalized the family business by utilizing technology to streamline business operations while remaining customer oriented. Her tireless efforts were recognized by her selection as Hawaii's 2003 Small Business Person of the Year.

Your Committee received testimony in support of JOYCE M. EDWARDS from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the National Federation of Independent Business, Hawaii Chapter, and four individuals. Ms. Edwards and her husband started a company called The Systemcenter, over twenty-eight years ago, that specializes in training small and large businesses in proper accounting and record keeping practices. This business has expanded over time and now includes space management with furniture and storage systems. The efforts of Ms. Edwards and her spouse were recognized as the United States Small Business Administration's Hawaii Small Business Person of the Year in 1993.

Your Committee received testimony in support of DORVIN D. LEIS from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Mr. Leis founded his own small business, Dorvin D. Leis Co. in 1961. This business is a mechanical contracting company that specializes in the installation of plumbing, air conditioning, boilers, sheet metal, and fire sprinklers. In addition, Mr. Leis is also involved in a number of other businesses located in Hawaii and Texas dealing with real estate ventures and operations. Mr. Leis is also an active member in various community organizations throughout Maui.

Your Committee received testimony in support of EDWARD J. MACDOWELL from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Mr. MacDowell serves as an executive for two businesses located on the island of Kauai. One business, Vison Properties, Inc., is a full service real estate company. As the Principal Broker, Mr. MacDowell was instrumental in increasing the amount of sales generated by this company. The other business is a general contracting company that is responsible for the construction of 10 homes a year on Kauai. Mr. MacDowell is also active in the business community, having served as the past President of the Kapaa Business Association as well as the past Chairman of the Kauai Business Council.

Your Committee received testimony in support of BRIAN K. ZINN from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and six individuals. Mr. Zinn attended the University of Hawaii and completed the Hawaii Management Program. Mr. Zinn has successfully managed two businesses, All Hawaii Cruises, Inc. and Copy Shop, Inc. Mr. Zinn's diverse business background has familiarized him with complex compliance and regulatory issues on the state and federal level. This experience has motivated Mr. Zinn to find ways to streamline the various regulatory processes in Hawaii in order to make Hawaii more business friendly.

Your Committee finds that the aforementioned nominees possess the business knowledge and practical experience necessary to serve on the Small Business Regulatory Review Board. Each nominee comes from a different business background and brings a unique perspective as well as new ideas to the Small Business Regulatory Review Board. This infusion of new ideas and diversity of backgrounds will enable the Board to make Hawaii a more business friendly environment for small businesses.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, 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.