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

begs leave to report as follows:

ANNA K. RIBUCAN is a Small Business Advocate with the Office of Economic Development for the County of Maui and operates Maui Retail Services, which is a professional shopping service. Ms. Ribucan formerly worked as a Coordinator for the Center for Entrepreneurship and was a Program Assistant for contract classes, both with the Office of Continuing Education and Training at Maui Community College. She is also the former owner and stockholder of Opened Action Medical Personnel, which provides nurses, nurse aides and companions for home care clients, and has an extensive background and experience in the retail industry on Maui.

Your Committee received testimony in support of Ms. Ribucan's nomination to the Community-Based Economic Development (CBED) Advisory Council from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; the Office of Economic Development, County of Maui; the Hawaii Small Business Development Center Network; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Ribucan's knowledge and experience with communities, community development, and small businesses on Maui will be a valuable resource for the CBED Program and the community of Maui. Her former role as a Coordinator for the Center for Entrepreneurship at Maui Community College proves her leadership abilities in helping launch business incubation programs, implementing new training programs, and creating curriculum for case management. Your Committee further finds that Ms. Ribucan's extensive background and experience will play an important role in assisting and guiding the CBED Program in fulfilling its goals and objectives.

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.