STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1921

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 638, 639, 640

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 638, 639, and 640, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board

G.M. No. 638	STANLEY TOSHIYA MASAMITSU, for a term to expire 6-30-2011;
G.M. No. 639	DONALD K. TOUCHI, for a term to expire 6-30-2008; and
G.M. No. 640	WERNER UMBHAU, for a term to expire 6-30-2009,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Upon reviewing the personal history submitted by the nominee, Stanley Toshiya Masamitsu, your Committee finds that Mr. Masamitsu is currently the president of the Tony Group car dealership.  He has been with the Tony Honda company since 1995.  Mr. Masamitsu holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern California with an emphasis in Management and Human Resources.  He is also very active in the community serving as a member of the YMCA, the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Hawaii, the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association, the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, and the Honolulu Country Club Foundation.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Mr. Masamitsu from the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers' Association.

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Masamitsu's experience will make him a key component of the Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board.

     Upon reviewing the personal history submitted by the nominee, Donald K. Touchi, your Committee finds that Mr. Touchi is a graduate of the University of Hawaii with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration.  Mr. Touchi began his career in 1968 selling, administering, and maintaining pension plans for Continental Assurance Company.  In 1973, Mr. Touchi returned to Hawaii to form Financial Images, Inc. and is currently semi-retired.  Mr. Touchi has served on the State Plan Policy Council and has chaired the City Salary Commission.  He is also a volunteer at the Institute for Human Services and plays the piano weekly at the St. Francis West Hospices, the V.A. Center for the Aged, and the Pearl City Nursing Home.

     Testimony in support of Mr. Touchi was submitted by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Touchi has proven a commitment to community service and his unique background will make him an asset to the Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board.

     Upon reviewing the personal history submitted by the nominee, Werner Umbhau, your Committee finds that Mr. Umbhau is a retired banker, who first worked as a loan officer with First Hawaiian Bank in 1958 and retired in 1994 as a vice president with Bank of Hawaii.

     Mr. Umbhau is a member of the Hawaii Automobile Dealer Association and the Car Rental and Leasing Association.  He is currently retired from the banking industry, having served as a loan officer, branch manager, and vice president for automobile financing.  Mr. Umbhau has volunteered his time, serving on the boards or councils of the St. Augustine Church By the Sea, Meals on Wheels, and the Queen's Gate Community Association.

     Testimony in support of Mr. Umbhau was submitted by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Umbhau's years of experience and broad knowledge will greatly benefit the Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing 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 Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair