STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3564

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 322

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 322, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Public Utilities Commission (PUC)

 

G.M. No. 322

LESLIE HARUO KONDO,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee, and finds Leslie Haruo Kondo to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to serve as a Commissioner on the Public Utilities Commission.

 

     Testimony in support of Mr. Kondo's nomination was submitted by the Public Utilities Commission; the Legal Counsel of the Public Utilities Commission; the Office of the Corporation Counsel, County of Hawai‘i; and nine private individuals.

 

     Mr. Kondo received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Upon graduation from law school, he served as a Law Clerk for Chief Justice Herman T.F. Lum at the Hawaii Supreme Court, and then served as an Associate Attorney at the private law firms of McCorriston Miho Miller Mukai and Tom & Petrus, and finally as Partner at Chun & Nagatani.  In February 2003, he left private practice to serve as the Director of the Office of Information Practices where he administered the State's public records and open meetings laws.  Mr. Kondo is a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association and currently serves as a Director for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Hawaii.

 

     Mr. Kondo has been serving as Commissioner for the Public Utilities Commission since July 2007.  Since his appointment, he has demonstrated a strong desire to learn about the issues presented to the Public Utilities Commission, and he has the education, experience, and commitment to assist the Commission in regulating franchised or certificated public service companies operating in the State.  He has worked tirelessly to understand and analyze the regulatory issues that currently face the Commission, closely reviewing docket records, clarifying issues with staff and parties, and attending training programs, meetings, and briefings.  Mr. Kondo's demonstrated commitment to and professional experience in law will prove to be a valuable asset for the Public Utilities Commission.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair