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WHEREAS, BERT A. KOBAYASHI is a highly respected leader in the construction industry who, through his entrepreneurial and civic activities, has made substantial contributions to the community; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Farrington High School, BERT A. KOBAYASHI attended Kapiolani Community College, Makiki Christian Church College, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa; and

WHEREAS, in 1962, BERT A. KOBAYASHI took over the helm of Albert C. Kobayashi, Inc., and during his term as Chairman and CEO, he built a reputation of getting the job done on schedule and within budget, and also helped it grow from a $2 million-a-year company to a $125 million-a-year company; and

WHEREAS, BERT A. KOBAYASHI's heart has always been in building affordable housing to ensure that the residents of Hawaii, especially public school graduates, can live in Hawaii, and is credited with building hundreds of affordable units in West Loch and Kapolei; and

WHEREAS, after the sale of Albert C. Kobayashi, Inc., in the early 1990's, BERT A. KOBAYASHI refocused his energies on real estate and investments and eventually founded the Kobayashi Group, which is responsible for numerous notable projects including Kuki'o Beach Resort and Golf Club in Kona, Napili Villas on Maui, and the luxury condominium Hokua in Honolulu; and

WHEREAS, BERT A. KOBAYASHI has demonstrated an aptitude for community work, having served on the board of trustees of the Japan America Society of Hawaii, the University of Hawaii Foundation, the Kapiolani Health Care Foundation, Mid-Pacific Institute, Kuakini Health Systems, and the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, BERT A. KOBAYASHI has also served on the board of directors of the Bishop Museum, St. Louis Education Foundation, National Japanese American Memorial Foundation, Hawaii Nature Center, and American Savings Bank, and as a board member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, he was instrumental in rallying the general and business communities to embrace, support, and ultimately strengthen the society; and

WHEREAS, BERT A. KOBAYASHI's lifetime of achievements in business and his endless dedication to the community have earned him a place on the Farrington Alumni and Community Foundation's Hall of Fame and numerous awards, including Georgetown University's Patrick Healy Award in 1994, Pacific Business News' Business Leader of the Year Award in 2002, and Bishop Museum's Charles Reed Bishop Medal in 2004; and

WHEREAS, while BERT A. KOBAYASHI has gained fame and fortune due to his remarkable business accomplishments, he would much rather be remembered for being a hard-working, honest person with humble roots in Kalihi who gave back to the community and made Hawaii a better place; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that this body hereby recognizes and commends BERT A. KOBAYASHI for being an outstanding role model and an inspiration for Hawaii's next generation of business leaders, and for his invaluable contributions to the State of Hawaii, and extends to him and his family its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	63
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII