STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1555

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 285, 286, 289

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Economic Development and Technology, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 285, 286, and 289, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Stadium Authority

G.M. No. 285	KATHLEEN O. AHINA, for a term to expire 6-30-2013;
G.M. No. 286	KEVIN H. M. CHONG KEE, for a term to expire 6-30-2012; and
G.M. No. 289	ALEXANDER C. KANE JR., for a term to expire 6-30-2012,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Kathleen O. Ahina, Kevin H. M. Chong Kee, and Alexander C. Kane Jr. to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Stadium Authority.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Kathleen O. Ahina was submitted by the Department of Accounting and General Services, Aloha Stadium, and six concerned individuals.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Kathleen O. Ahina has been a life-long resident of Hawaii that has enjoyed her experiences at Aloha Stadium from its very beginning after construction to today.  Kathleen O. Ahina also has served as a member of the Stadium Authority since 2005 and has provided considerable insight into the user needs and safety matters currently affecting Aloha Stadium.

     Your Committee finds that reappointing Kathleen O. Ahina for another term will help the Stadium Authority when they seek bids for a contract with the swap meet within the next year.  Your Committee also finds that Kathleen O. Ahina can assist the Stadium Authority in resolving the issues and concerns that currently face the Swap Meet Vendors Association in their current contract with Centerplate.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Kevin H. M. Chong Kee, was submitted by Representative Barbara Marumoto, Representative Lynn Finnegan, the Department of Accounting and General Services, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Aloha Stadium, and one individual.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Kevin H. M. Chong Kee currently serves as the Chair of the Stadium Authority and has laid a foundation for working toward resolving the current issues facing the Stadium Authority, such as hiring a new Stadium Manager, eliminating rent charges to the University of Hawaii, and addressing the challenges of a major repair and renovation project.

     Your Committee finds that, while Chair Chong Kee has made some progress in working with the Swap Meet Vendors Association and Centerplate management to resolve differences between those two entities, much more work must be done to address your Committee's concerns regarding the need for improved access to information on Stadium Authority operations, better communications with all Aloha Stadium users, and increased accountability to the Legislature.

     Specifically, your Committee is concerned about the present system in which its swap meet management contractor is also the contractor for food and beverage concessions, and the new Request for Proposal for swap meet management appears to relax the level of performance criteria for contractors to meet.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Alexander C. Kane Jr. was submitted by the Department of Accounting and General Services and Aloha Stadium.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Alexander C. Kane Jr. has almost thirty years of experience as an interscholastic athletic director in Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that Alexander C. Kane Jr. has represented the sports community's perspective well during his current term on the Stadium Authority and that his commitment has been focused on what is in the best interest of Aloha Stadium.  Your Committee also finds that Mr. Kane is aware and knowledgeable about the fiscal and safety concerns of Aloha Stadium and will advocate for prudent measures to resolve those concerns.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Technology 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 Economic Development and Technology,

____________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair