STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3286

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 541

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Tourism and Government Operations, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 541, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Board of Directors of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority

 

G.M. No. 541

SHARON R. WEINER,

for a term to expire 6-30-2012,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Sharon R. Weiner from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority; Tourism Liaison; Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa; Retail Merchants of Hawaii; Louis Vuitton Hawaii; Hawai‘i Hotel & Lodging Association; Waikiki Community Center; DFS Hawaii; World of Aloha; First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Ltd.; Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.; HMSHost Hawaiian Islands; Island Shoppers, Inc.; and seven individuals.

 

     The nominee is a nomination of the Senate President and represents at large/Oahu (City and County of Honolulu).  Ms. Weiner is currently the Vice President of Duty Free Shoppers Hawaii and Duty Free Shoppers Group Limited.  Previously, she was President and Chief Executive Officer and owner of Stryker Weiner Public Relations Firm, and served as Executive Director of the Visitor Industry Executive Council.  In addition, she has worked as the Public Relations Manager for C. Brewer & Company. 

 

     Ms. Weiner received a B.A. degree from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. degree from the University of Hawaii.  She is a public relations management professional who is an Accredited Member of the Public Relations Society of America.  Ms. Weiner's experience with the Society includes serving as President of the Hawaii Chapter, Chairman of the Pacific Region, Hall of Honor, and recipient of the Gregg W. Perry Award.  The nominee maintains directorships and memberships in numerous business, retail, and tourism organizations, as well as being a Regent of Chaminade University of Honolulu.

 

     Your Committee notes that the nominee has extensive experience in the visitor industry in Hawaii, having been for many years a public relations executive representing myriad interests in tourism such as hotels, airlines, ground operators, and destination organizations (Oahu Visitors Bureau and Maui Visitors Bureau).  During her years with DFS, Ms. Weiner has developed a keen understanding for the complex role that international tourism plays in Hawaii's economy.

 

     Your Committee believes that Ms. Weiner will bring a much needed breadth and depth to tourism promotion with her experience in the retail sector, as well as Hawaii tourism in general.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism and Government Operations 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 Tourism and Government Operations,

 

 

 

____________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair