STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1733

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 289, 290, 291, 459

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 289, 290, 291, and 459, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation

 

G.M. No. 289

DUANE C.K. LAU,

for a term to expire 6-30-2010;

 

G.M. No. 290

TEENA M. RASMUSSEN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011;

 

G.M. No. 291

DAVID G. RIETOW,

for a term to expire 6-30-2010; and

 

G.M. No. 459

CHRISTINE MARIE DALEIDEN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds Duane C.K. Lau, Teena M. Rasmussen, David G. Rietow, and Christine Marie Daleiden to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

 

     Testimony in support of Duane C.K. Lau's nomination was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation.

 

     Mr. Lau is a graduate of Saint Louis School and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Economics and Information Systems from the University of San Francisco.  Mr. Lau is currently the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for May's Wonder Gardens, a hydroponic lettuce farm, and is in Sales and Marketing with Hawaiian Candies and Nuts, Ltd.  He was also a past President of the Hawaii Food Manufacturer's Association, a past Western Region Director of the American Association of Meat Processors, and is a member of the American Meat Institute.  Mr. Lau joined the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation as an interim appointed member in the summer 2006 and in that time has shown his great ability to serve on the Board.  His insights on the aspects necessary for agribusiness, including production, distribution, marketing, and food safety issues will provide valuable insight for making important decisions regarding Agribusiness Development Corporation projects and the agricultural industry in Hawaii.

 

     Testimony in support of Teena M. Rasmussen's nomination was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, the Maui County Farm Bureau, the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Green Point Nurseries, and six individuals.

 

     Ms. Rasmussen attended Washington State University, California State University at Fullerton, and Chaminade University.  She and her husband currently own and operate Paradise Flower Farms, Inc. where they grow and ship fresh cut flowers, roses, leis, and bulbs on their fifty-six acre farm in Kula, Maui.  Ms. Rasmussen has tirelessly donated her time by serving on many boards in various capacities, including the Chairperson of the Maui Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Maui Economic Development Board, a member of the Farm Service Agency State Committee, and a member of the Hawaii Tropical Flower Council.  She joined the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation in 2003 and was elected as its Chairperson in 2005.  This accomplishment is a testament to her effective style of leadership, her motivation and drive to problem-solve, and her commitment to the agricultural industry in Hawaii.  Her background as a flower farmer on Maui allows her to bring a unique perspective to the Board of Directors of farming on the neighbor islands.  Furthermore, as a tenant on a county agricultural park, she understands land lease issues.  As a business person, she also understands foreign competition, water, transportation, and other challenging issues that farmers in Hawaii face.  Ms. Rasmussen's demonstrated commitment and extensive experience in the farming and business sectors makes her a valuable asset to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation for a second term.

 

     Testimony in support of David G. Rietow's nomination was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center.

 

     Mr. Rietow is a graduate of Punahou School and received his Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from Arizona State University.  He is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of MacFarms of Hawaii, LLC, the President and Co-Owner of Agro Resources, Inc., and a Consultant and Managing Member of Agricon Hawaii, LLC.  He has an impressive thirty-seven-year background in agribusiness development, management, and support.  He is also active in many trade and professional organizations in various capacities, including the President of the Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Employer's Mutual Insurance Company.  He joined the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation as an interim appointed member in the summer 2006 and in that time has shown his great ability to serve on the Board.  As global demands on agriculture continue to transform the industry with modern technology and innovations, Mr. Rietow's wealth of experience and knowledge will prove to be an invaluable asset for the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

 

     Testimony in support of Christine Marie Daleiden's nomination was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, and seven individuals.

 

     Ms. Daleiden received her Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies, Magna Cum Laude, from Arizona State University, and her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the Santa Clara University School of Law in Santa Clara, California.  She is currently an Attorney and Consultant with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Division of Financial Institutions and Cemetery and Funeral Trusts Program, and is a Professor at the University of Phoenix in Honolulu.  Prior to her current position, Ms. Daleiden was a Deputy Attorney General with the Department of the Attorney General where she represented the Agribusiness Development Corporation in areas of litigation, water law, land use, agribusiness, banking law, and trust law.  During this time, she became knowledgeable of the Agribusiness Development Corporation's mission, operations, and board structure.  As the Agribusiness Development Corporation continues to take on complex projects relating to irrigation systems and agricultural land, Ms. Daleiden will an invaluable asset on the Board of Directors.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that are 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.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair