STAND. COM. REP. NO. 493

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 435

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

Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation

G.M. No. 435

PAULA J. HEGELE, for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statements submitted by the nominee, and finds Paula J. Hegele to have the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

     Testimony in support of the nomination was submitted by one state agency, two organizations, and two public citizens.  Written testimony presented to your Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Ms. Hegele was nominated to serve as the Maui representative on the Board of Directors.  She is presently the President and General Manager of Tedeschi Vineyards, Ltd., the only commercial winery on Maui.  Ms. Hegele oversees the winery operations including a twenty-three acre vineyard, the manufacture of value added wine products, marketing, and a retail visitor center.  Tedeschi Vineyards, Ltd. was recognized by the United States Small Business Administration as the 2000 Small Business Exporter of the Year. 

Ms. Hegele was the founder and organizer of the Maui Agricultural Trade Show, also known as the Ulupalakua Thing, which for thirteen years featured local agriculture and introduced Maui buyers to Maui farmers.  She is a Board member and past President of the Made in Maui Trade Council and a member and past President of the Maui Island Chapter of the Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association.  Ms. Hegele has nearly two decades experience with diversified agriculture and extensive knowledge of the agriculture business from farming to marketing.

     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