Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 498, 499, 500, and 502, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Testimony in support of the nomination of CHARLES G. KING was submitted by the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the Hawaii Community Foundation, and the Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation. Mr. King has a business background and is president of King Auto Center on Kauai, King Windward Nissan, and King Infiniti of Honolulu, and extensive involvement with community and volunteer activities. His commitment to improving the quality of life for low-income families and youth on Kauai is demonstrated by his participation in numerous boards as well as the Food Bank program. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii. Mr. King will be the Kauai representative on the HHFDA.

Testimony in support of the nomination of BETTY LOU LARSON was submitted by the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the Department of Community Services of the City and County of Honolulu, the Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance, the Hawaii Family Forum, the Hawaii Catholic Conference, and Catholic Charities Hawaii. Ms. Larson has dedicated most of her professional life to affordable housing and homeless issues. She is currently the Housing Assistance Program Coordinator for Catholic Charities Elderly Services, as well as President of the Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance, as was formerly Chair of the Rental Housing Trust Fund Advisory Commission. Her wealth of experience gives her an informed perspective which she will bring to her service on the HHFDA Board.

Testimony in support of the nomination of DAVID LAWRENCE was submitted by the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii. Mr. Lawrence is a mortgage broker for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage of Hawaii on Maui, in which capacity he originates residential and commercial real estate loans. He established the Hawaii Community Loan Fund in 2000 as a means to leverage federal, local, and foundation funds for affordable housing in Hawaii. Previously he was involved with community development finance initiatives to expand access to capital for small businesses in Hawaii. Mr. Lawrence will be the Maui representative on the HHFDA.

Testimony in support of CHARLES A. STED was submitted by the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii (HCDCH), the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and the Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation. Mr. Sted, as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hawaii Pacific Health, has background and experience in financial management and tax exempt finance and compliance. His skills, personal attributes, and expertise demonstrated while serving as Chair of the HCDCH Board have been a positive influence on staff and those who appeared before the Board, and promise to provide a similar beneficial effect on the operations and management of the new HHFDA. Mr. Sted will be the Oahu representative on the HHFDA. Your Committee notes that concerns were raised about the qualifications and fitness of this nominee to serve on the HHFDA Board.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing 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.