STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3577

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 455

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. 455, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

State Boxing Commission of Hawai‘i

G.M. No. 455

ROLAND CABALO CASAMINA, for a term to expire 6-30-2012,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee, and finds Roland Cabalo Casamina to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the State Boxing Commission of Hawai‘i.

     Testimony in support of Mr. Casamina's nomination was submitted by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the USA Boxing Hawaii Chapter.

     Mr. Casamina graduated from Farrington High School and received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Hawaii.  He is currently the President, Chief Executive Officer, and owner of House of Finance, Inc., and was formerly employed as a Vice President at International Savings and Loan.  From 2002 to 2004, he served as President for the Hawaii Financial Services Association.

     Mr. Casamina is the recipient of several awards, including the Presidential Award in which the President of the Philippines honored him as an individual who has made significant contributions for the betterment of Filipinos in the Philippines and throughout the world.  He received this award for uniting the Filipino community in building the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu.  Furthermore, he is the recipient of the Kalayaan International Business and Finance of the Year Award in 2006, the Kalayaan International Leadership Award in 2003, the United Filipino Council of Hawaii Business/Investment & Finance of the Year Award in 1997, and the United States Jaycees Outstanding Young Man of America Award in 1986.

     From 1992 to 2002, Mr. Casamina served as the President of the Filipino Community Center, and is currently the President Emeritus, which is a title given for life as the founder of the organization, and has a ballroom named after him, the "Casamina Ballroom" at the Community Center.  He also co-hosts a Filipino program with Larry Ordonez on Radio KNDI, and serves as a coach, judge, and referee for USA Amateur Boxing.  He has also participated in the Filipino Chamber of Commerce, the Mortgage Bankers of Hawaii, the Hawaii Financial Services Association, and the Oahu Filipino Jaycees.

     Mr. Casamina has been involved in boxing for a good portion of his life and has been an avid fan and supporter of the sport since he was a teenager.  His extensive knowledge of boxing and his commitment to and deep respect of the sport will help the State Boxing Commission of Hawai‘i to deal effectively with the matters that will come before it.  Mr. Casamina's demonstrated commitment, motivation, and experience in boxing will greatly assist the State Boxing Commission of Hawai‘i.

     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