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. 258, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

begs leave to report as follows:

John Isobe has served faithfully for four years as the Vice-Chairperson of the Community-Based Economic Development Advisory Council. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and for over twenty years has held various positions within the financial community of Kauai. As the former Deputy Director of Finance for Kauai County and the current Training Coordinator for Kauai Community College, he has guided the community of Kauai in implementing initiatives that increase economic development and capacity building.

Your Committee received testimony in support of Mr. Isobe's nomination from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), the Pahio Resorts, and the Hawaii Community Foundation.

Your Committee finds that Mr. Isobe's expertise and experience with community development on Kauai has proven to be a valuable resource for the Community-Based Economic Development (CBED) Program and for the community of Kauai. He will continue to plan an important role in assisting and guiding the CBED Program with fulfilling its goals and objectives. Through his current position at the Kauai Community College, it is anticipated that Mr. Isobe will continue to be an excellent DBEDT and CBED Program liaison with the communities of Kauai.

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.