STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1030

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 268

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 268, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Director of the Department of Budget and Finance

 

G.M. No. 268

GEORGINA K. KAWAMURA,

for a term to expire 12-6-2010,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal statement and resume submitted by the nominee and finds Georgina K. Kawamura to have the necessary qualifications to serve as the Director of Finance.

 

     Your Committee received comments in support of the nomination of Ms. Kawamura as Director of Finance from Mr. Robert N. E. Piper, Deputy Director, Department of Budget and Finance and nine managers and senior staff members from the Department of Budget and Finance; Mr. David Shimabukuro, Administrator, Employees' Retirement System; Major General Robert G.F. Lee, Hawaii National Guard; Mr. Carlito P. Caliboso, Chairperson, Public Utilities Commission; the Board of Trustees, Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Mr. Larry Reifurth, Deputy Director, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Mr. Orlando "Dan" Davidson, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Division; Mr. Jack Tonaki, State Public Defender; Mr. Jim Williams, Administrator, Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund; Mr. Brian Sekiguchi, Deputy Director, Airports Division, Department of Transportation; Ms. Charmaine Tavares, Mayor, County of Maui; Mr. Ronald D. Kouchi and Mr. Mel Rapozo, Council members, Kauai County Council, Mr. Peter Fithian, Airport Concessionaires; Mr. Colbert M. Matsumoto, Chairman and CEO, Island Insurance Companies; Mr. Randall J. Hee, President and CEO, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative; the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers; and Mr. Christopher Grandy, University of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that, consistent with the exemplary comments received on her behalf, her four years as Director of Finance, and an extensive and impressive professional background in management and finance, Director Kawamura has also distinguished herself as an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees of the Employees' Retirement System (ERS).  The Administrator of the ERS testified that Director Kawamura "approached issues facing the ERS with a long-term perspective, which is important for the health of the ERS.  She asks the right questions before making decisions, and more importantly has done what is in the best interest of the ERS members."

 

     In a rare expression of support and respect, nine Department of Budget and Finance managers and senior staff members expressed their support for Director Kawamura and testified that "[s]he has a remarkable ability to absorb details of the operating and CIP budget and displays a thorough understanding of budgeting principles and practices.  She has brought graciousness, composure, and level-headedness to the position, along with her sense of humor and energy.  Ms. Kawamura has actively pushed and prodded both our staff and departmental staffs to develop better performance measures and to more fully integrate these measures into budget decision making and budget presentations.  She has also led the charge in making the State's budget documents more understandable and 'user friendly.'"  "[We have] observed first hand Mrs. Kawamura's genuine commitment, sensitivity, and concern for the well-being of her employees.  In her first fours years as Director of Finance, she has demonstrated through decision making and her interaction with employees an innate ability to balance equity and fairness with appreciation and compassion.  She has made 'right' decisions when the choices are difficult ones and has earned our respect in the process."

 

     Director Kawamura is also respected by the business community, as evidenced by comments submitted by the President of Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, who testified, "Mrs. Kawamura being open-minded and willing to listen to our concerns as the first electric cooperative in the State of Hawaii not only supported our endeavor, but also assisted KIUC with the proposed language.  KIUC feels her efforts were above and beyond, and would like to recognize her as being instrumental in the successful passing of our legislation."

 

     Director Kawamura is also admired and respected by many friends, such as Colbert Matsumoto who has remained loyal to her over the years because she is "a source of 'community pride,' that someone who grew up in the small community of Lanai could assume such an important public role.  She distinguished herself and demonstrated her capacity to take on the weighty challenges of that position [as Director of Finance]."

 

     Your Committee also finds that, while supporting her confirmation, Senators expressed concerns about delays in grants-in-aid being released to nonprofit organizations that provide valuable community services.  Senators requested that Director Kawamura implement improved processes and technical assistance to departments to expedite the release of such funds.  In addition, Senators requested the Department of Budget and Finance to compile comprehensive vacancy reports for all departments so that legislators can better understand various departments' labor needs.  Director Kawamura expressed her willingness to work with the departments and your Committee to address these concerns.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means 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.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair