Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Business and Economic Development, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 250, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Charles K. H. Au has been serving as an interim member of the Small Business Regulatory Review Board since November 2005, and brings to the Board a wealth of knowledge in public accounting and taxes. He is a certified public accountant and has been a partner of Erwin, Cabrinha, and Au, LLP, since 1996. Mr. Au received his Bachelors in Business Administration in accounting from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and worked for Arthur Andersen in Hawaii before joining his current firm and becoming a partner. Currently, he is a member of the Chinese Jaycees, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants, of which he is also a member of the tax committee.

Your Committee received testimony in support of Mr. Au's nomination from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; the Small Business Regulatory Review Board; Kobayashi Sugita & Goda, L & I Realty, Inc.; FOPCO, Inc.; ATCO Software, Inc.; Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Hawaii Chapter; Benefit Services of Hawaii, Inc.; Hicks Homes; AIG VALIC Financial Advisors, Inc.; Aylward Enterprises, Inc.; Copart Auto Auctions; and Mass Mutual Financial Group - The Hawaii Agency.

Your Committee finds that the Small Regulatory Review Board needs a representative from Oahu with experience in accounting, and Mr. Au's wealth of knowledge and experience in accounting will be an asset to the Board.

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