STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1822

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 416

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 416, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Board of Trustees of the Employees' Retirement System (ERS)

G.M. No. 416

COLBERT MATSUMOTO, for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Upon review of the application and resume submitted by nominee, COLBERT MATSUMOTO, your Committee notes the following qualifications:

     Colbert Matsumoto currently serves as the President of Island Holdings, Inc., and Chairman and CEO of Island Insurance Company, Ltd.  He holds numerous Board positions with Central Pacific Bank, Oahu Publications, Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs, to name a few.  He is also involved in many community organizations such as the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Employees' Retirement System since 2001. 

Colbert Matsumoto was born and raised on the island of Lana‘i and graduated from Lana‘i High School.  He received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California at Berkley, Boalt Hall and his Bachelor of Science in Sociology, magna cum laude, from the University of San Francisco. 

     Mr. Matsumoto practiced law in Hawaii for over 20 years as a founder and managing partner of Matsumoto LaFountaine & Chow. Before forming his own law firm, Mr. Matsumoto was a partner in the law firm of Fujiyama Duffy & Fujiyama.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Mr. Matsumoto from the Chair of the Employees Retirement System (ERS), Board of Trustees, Director of Budget and Finance, Vice-Chairman of Bank of Hawaii, four current Trustees of the ERS Board of Trustees and the President of Pahio Resorts, and the ERS Administrator.  The testimony described Mr. Matsumoto as dedicated, knowledgeable, diligent, and willing to analyze and tackle the difficult questions.  There was no testimony received in opposition.    

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor 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 Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair