STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1093

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 420

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 420, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Board of Directors of the Aloha Tower Development Corporation

G.M. No. 420

JASON T. OKUHAMA, for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee, and finds Jason T. Okuhama to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Aloha Tower Development Corporation.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Mr. Okuhama was submitted by two state agencies and seventeen individuals.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Mr. Okuhama is a Managing Partner of Hawaii Lending Specialists, LLC, dba Commercial and Business Lending.  Mr. Okuhama's previous positions include Senior Vice President of B&I Lending, LLC, Vice President/Business Loan Officer for Bank of America, and Business Loan Officer for the Financial Assistance Branch of the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT).

     Mr. Okuhama is the current Board President of the Hawaii Alliance for Community Based Economic Development and founding member of Lokahi Pacific Rural Development, Inc.  He has served on numerous committees, including planning or steering committees for the Hawaii Community Loan Fund, DBEDT Small Business Advisory Group, Hawaii Congress on Small Business, and Community Based Economic Development Conference.  Mr. Okuhama has also held various leadership positions with organizations such as the Waimea Jaycees and the Exchange Club of Waimea.

     Mr. Okuhama has served on the Board of Directors of the Aloha Tower Development Corporation (ATDC) since May of 2006 as an at‑large member.  His background in private financing, commercial lending, and business has made Mr. Okuhama a valuable asset to the ATDC.  Testifiers describe Mr. Okuhama as a hard worker of high integrity and dedication, good reputation within the finance community, strong commitment to economic development and rural community concerns, and outstanding leadership and character who would continue to contribute a wealth of experience and knowledge to the ATDC.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs 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 Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair