STAND. COM. REP. NO. 899

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 281, 419

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Education and Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 281 and 419, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Board of Directors of the Hawai'i Public Housing Authority (HPHA)

G.M. No. 281	SAM AIONA, for a term to expire 6-30-2011; and
G.M. No. 419	KAULANA H.R. PARK, for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds Sam Aiona and Kaulana H.R. Park to have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

     Testimony in support of Sam Aiona was submitted by four state agencies and seven individuals.

     Sam Aiona has served as Executive Director of the Office of Community Services, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations since 2003, and as a Loan Officer with American Pacific Mortgage since 1999.  At the Office of Community Services, he is responsible for a budget of over $10,000,000, serving nonprofit organizations throughout the State.  In addition to extensive sales and marketing experience in the tourism industry, Mr. Aiona served as a Representative in the House of Representatives from 1996-1998.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Hawaii and was a 1999 Pacific Century Fellow.  Mr. Aiona is active in a wide range of community activities, including Founding President of the Waikiki Jaycees, Kuhio Lions Club, and as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, and many other nonprofit organizations.  He is a reappointment to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

     Testimony in support of Kaulana H.R. Park was submitted by three state agencies, one private organization, and five individuals.

     Kaulana H.R. Park has served as Deputy Director to the Chairman and Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands since 2003, where he is responsible for management oversight of the Department's managers and administrators and for special projects, including affordable housing, homeless programs, and community development.  From 1997-2003, he was a Business Loan Manager and Officer at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and he has extensive experience in the banking industry in Hawaii and California.  Mr. Park holds a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Stanford University, California, and was a Pacific Century Fellow in 2003.  He is active in numerous professional and community organizations, including the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, United States Commission on Civil Rights Hawaii Advisory Committee, and served as an officer of the Hotel Travel Federal Credit Union.  He is a reappointment to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and 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 Education and Housing,

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair