STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1857

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 304, 305, 513, 514

 

 

 

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. 304, 305, 513, and 514, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

 

Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA)

 

G.M. No. 304

GRADY L. CHUN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011;

 

G.M. No. 305

PAUL KEN KIMURA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011;

 

G.M. No. 513

CHRISTOPHER TAKAAKI KOBAYASHI,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011; and

 

G.M. No. 514

DEXTER NORIFUMI OKADA,

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 Grady L. Chun, Paul Ken Kimura, Christopher Takaaki Kobayashi, and Dexter Norifumi Okada to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Hawaii Community Development Authority.

 

     Testimony in support of Grady L. Chun's nomination was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the Hawaii Community Development Authority, and two individuals.

 

     Mr. Chun received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and is a Certified Investment Advisor and a Licensed Insurance Resident Producer.  He is currently a Financial Consultant and Advisor for Linsco/Private Ledger and previously worked at AXA Advisors, LLC in Honolulu and San Francisco, California.  He serves as a Director of the See Dai Doo Society, a Community Advisor on the Board of Directors for Kawaiahao School, and a member of the Hawaii Chinese Civic Association.  Mr. Chun joined the Authority on April 2005 as a City Council nominee when an unexpected vacancy occurred and since that time has shown his great ability to serve on the Authority.  His knowledge of financial planning and insurance issues has contributed greatly to the diversity of the Authority.  He also serves as a member on a task force established to explore development alternatives for small lot owners.  Mr. Grady's demonstrated commitment, professional experience, and interest in improving the Kakaako and Kalaeloa communities make him a valuable asset to the Hawaii Community Development Authority for a full four-year term.

 

     Testimony in support of Paul Ken Kimura's nomination was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the Hawaii Community Development Authority, the Kewalo Keiki Fish Conservancy, and four individuals.

 

     Mr. Kimura is a graduate of Iolani School and attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  He is currently the President and third generation owner and operator of City Fender and Body Service Ltd., a small business located in Kakaako that was started in 1941 by his grandfather.  He is a charter director and past president of the Kakaako Improvement Association, which is a community-based organization established to identify and address concerns and opportunities within the Kakaako area.  He is concerned with all aspects of development in Kakaako, but he has put equal vigor into carrying out his fiduciary responsibilities with regard to Kalaeloa.  Mr. Kimura's deep knowledge and care in the interests of small businesses and demonstrated commitment and interest in improving the Kakaako and Kalaeloa communities make him a valuable asset to the Hawaii Community Development Authority for a second term.

 

     Testimony in support of Christopher Takaaki Kobayashi's nomination was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; the Hawaii Community Development Authority; a Council Member, City and County of Honolulu; the Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO; and two individuals.

 

     Mr. Kobayashi received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California, and his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon.  He is currently a Partner of Kobayashi, Sugita and Goda where he concentrates in areas of corporate, construction, and commercial law.  Prior to joining Kobayashi, Sugita and Goda, he served as a foreign associate with the Hashidate Law Office in Tokyo, Japan.  He is a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.  Mr. Kobayashi engages in extensive community activities, including serving as a Director of the East-West Center Foundation, a member of the Board of Governors of the Japanese-American National Museum, a Director of Ahahui Koa Anuenue, a Director of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Athletic Foundation, and a Director of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Foundation.  He sits on the Advisory Board for Rebuilding Together Hawaii that organizes teams of volunteers from business, labor, and the community to repair and renovate community facilities and the homes of low-income, elderly, and disabled residents of Hawaii.

 

     He was selected by the Governor from a list of four names submitted by the Senate President pursuant to Act 252, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006.  Mr. Kobayashi's concentration in the areas of construction matters and commercial leasing concerns will contribute an informative and insightful perspective to the Authority, and his finance background and professional experience overseas will provide further depth to the Hawaii Community Development Authority.

 

     Testimony in support of Dexter Norifumi Okada's nomination was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the Hawaii Community Development Authority, the Kewalo Keiki Fish Conservancy, the Hawaii Transportation Association, and six individuals.

 

     Mr. Okada is a graduate of Punahou School, received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Claremont Mens College, and received his Bachelor in Science and Master in Science in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University.  He is currently the President of U. Okada & Co., Ltd., which is a four-generation family company headquartered in Kakaako.  Prior to joining his family business, he served in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Second Lieutenant, and received management training at Hawaii National Bank.  Mr. Okada serves as a Director of the United Fishing Agency, the President of the Hawaii Transportation Association, and a Director of the Kakaako Improvement Association.  He was recently recognized by Small Business Hawaii as the "Small Business Person of the Year" for testifying and challenging "the State, the Lingle Administration, the Hawaii Community Development Authority, and the City and County of Honolulu" as it relates to Improvement District 11.

 

     Mr. Okada was selected by the Governor from a list of names submitted by the Speaker of the House pursuant to Act 252, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006.  With deep roots in the Kakaako District and a depth of understanding of the changing dynamics and challenges small businesses face, Mr. Okada is well positioned to contribute to the Hawaii Community Development Authority's legislative mandate of combining the strength of private enterprise with public development and regulation to result in the implementation of improved community development.

 

     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