Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 568 and 697, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee received testimony in support of the appointment of MARIA JO FARINA to the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Commission from Pacificana Institute, the Outgoing Consul General of the Philippines, and three individuals. Ms. Farina is actively involved in community service, including previously serving as the president of the Filipino Catholic Club, Our Lady of Peace Unit; chairing the Civil Service Commission since 2000; and serving as the current president of the Hawaii Filipino Women's Club. She is a small-business owner, and also manages a garment shop that specializes in Filipino clothing and costumes. In response to questions posed by your Committee, Ms. Farina noted that funding is one of the major challenges the Commission faces and envisions applying her community development experiences in helping the Commission find additional funding options.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the appointment of DAVID HELDER to the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Commission from four individuals. Mr. Helder is a semi-retired painter and sculptor, who also has extensive experience as an art instructor for children and adults. He is familiar with historic preservation issues, having previously worked in private building restoration in San Francisco and serving as a member of the Kauai Historic Preservation Review Commission since 2000, and as its chair in 2004. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in sculpture from the California College of Arts and Crafts, studied architecture at the University of Edinburg, Scotland, and earned a master's degree in aesthetic education from Stanford University. In response to questions posed by your Committee, Mr. Helder reiterated his belief that the benefits derived by children and adults alike from exposure to the arts and art education were not adequately recognized. He stated that an important objective for the Commission is to encourage art activities and art awareness throughout the community, in order to promote understanding of their benefits, which he believes will lead to increased funding for the arts.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology 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.