STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1958

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 349

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Economic Development and Taxation, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 349, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

 

Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation

 

G.M. No. 349

ORION KOPELMAN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Orion Kopelman from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; High Technology Development Corporation (HTDC); Hawaii Small Business Development Center Network, Maui Center; the former Mayor of Maui County; and one individual.

 

     Orion Kopelman is President of Global Brain, Inc., a California-based company he founded in 1991.  He previously held senior management positions with Mountain Computer and Cherry Valley Computer Systems in California.  He has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and is the author of the book, "Projects at Warp-Speed with QRPD".  Mr. Kopelman is currently serving as an interim appointment to the Board.

 

     Your Committee finds that the High Technology Development Corporation is at a critical juncture, with general fund support declining at the same time the Corporation is being tasked with additional commitments by the Administration.  For example, 2007 legislation alone would have the Corporation responsible for a ten‑year lease commitment in the proposed technology incubator in Kakaako and an expansion of its role with the proposed digital media hub.  This comes at a time when Hawaii's technology sector is expanding, particularly small start-ups and other fledgling entrepreneurial businesses that rely on the Corporation for a variety of services and financial assistance.

 

     Your Committee has questioned the nominee with respect to his assertion that Silicon Valley can serve as a model for Hawaii, his contributions to the Maui and statewide technology communities, and his assessment of the challenges facing Hawaii's technology businesses.

 

     Mr. Kopelman responded, but his answers focused in large part on the strategies in his book and his personal management experience, and less on the overall concerns of the questions.  In addition, his involvement with Hawaii technology companies is somewhat limited, which may be due in part to an extensive consulting and teaching schedule outside of Hawaii.  Your Committee finds that while enthusiastic, Mr. Kopelman is not the best candidate to help guide the High Technology Development Corporation in meeting its statutory requirements of facilitating the growth and development of the commercial high technology industry in Hawaii during a period of transition for the Corporation.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Taxation that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, recommends that the Senate not advise and consent to the nomination.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Taxation,

 

 

 

____________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair