Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 371 and 372, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

GAIL ANN HONDA, PH.D. currently serves on the Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University and her Master in Business Administration with a specialization in Management Science and Operations Management and her Doctorate in Japanese Economic History from the University of Chicago. Dr. Honda is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Global Optima, Inc., which is a professional writing and editing services company that focuses on technology; is a technology columnist for Hawaii Hospitality Magazine; and is an occasional television commentator for the technology segment on KHON-TV morning news. Her writing has been published in The Essential Guide to Internet Business Technology, and she has made numerous technology presentations throughout the State. Furthermore, Dr. Honda is an adjunct faculty member teaching professional writing, advertising, and technical communication classes at Hawaii Pacific University, an instructor teaching an E-business class at University of Phoenix Hawaii Campus, and an instructor teaching an effective writing class at Honolulu Community College.

Your Committee received testimony in support of Dr. Honda's nomination for a second term on the Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation from the High Technology Development Corporation and one individual.

Your Committee finds that Dr. Honda's considerable knowledge and expertise in the commercial high technology industry is an asset for the Board. She has considerable experience with the development and writing of business plans, and in helping companies to understand how to create market awareness of their products and services, both of which are integral to the success of start-up companies. Because the majority of Hawaii technology start-up companies are still in the area of information and telecommunication technology, Dr. Honda's previous research and publications on the Internet and eCommerce make her a valuable resource for the Board, staff, and tenants of the High Technology Development Corporation.

ASSUMPTA C. RAPOZA is currently the Director of Corporate Services at Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA). She received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and her Master of Business Administration from Chaminade University. Before joining HMSA, Ms. Rapoza gained extensive experience in the fields of management information systems and risk management at GTE Hawaiian Tel, InfoTech, and Bank of Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of Ms. Rapoza's nomination to the Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation from the High Technology Development Corporation and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Rapoza's extensive background in information management will be a valuable resource for the Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation. Although there are a growing number of biotechnology companies starting up in Hawaii, the focus of a large number of the technology start-ups in the State still remain in the areas of information and telecommunication technology. The knowledge and insight that Ms. Rapoza has gained from her many years of experience in these areas will be a significant asset for the Board as they consider the many demands and opportunities that the agency faces.

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.