STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1548

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 573, 574

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. 573 and 574, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation

G.M. No. 573	SONG K. CHOI, for a term to expire 6-30-2013; and
G.M. No. 574	JEFFREY W. PIONTEK, for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees Song K. Choi and Jeffrey W. Piontek for service on the Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Song K. Choi was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Transportation, High Technology Development Corporation, and two concerned individuals.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Song K. Choi has obtained extensive experience in the area of mechanical engineering and other variations of systems engineering.  Mr. Choi has also been extensively involved with various professional and community organizations and has been awarded several Office of Naval Research grants over the past five years.

     However, your Committee finds that there are concerns with confirming and recommending Song K. Choi to the High Technology Development Corporation.  Although Dr. Choi has extensive professional experience in robotics education/workforce development, your Committee believes that the mission of the High Technology Development Corporation is more appropriately served by individuals with more direct business development experience relevant to high technology start-ups.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Jeffrey W. Piontek was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the New York City Department of Education, High Technology Development Corporation, Isis Hawaii, Hawaii Technology Academy, Creativity Academy, Hawaii Technology Charter School Board, Hawaii Families for Educational Choice, November Learning, and three concerned individuals.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Jeffrey W. Piontek has demonstrated a passion throughout his career for issues related to science, technology, education, and engineering.  Mr. Piontek has engaged in promoting matters related to developing education for Hawaii's young students in those areas over the past five years.  Specifically, Mr. Piontek has started a charter school in Hawaii named Hawaii Technology Academy.

     However, your Committee finds that there are concerns with confirming and recommending Jeffrey W. Piontek to the High Technology Development Corporation.  Specifically, your Committee believes that the business experience that Mr. Piontek would bring to the High Technology Development Corporation is more appropriately aligned with an agency with an educational focus rather than one whose focus is on accelerating growth of Hawaii's technology industry.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees not to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate not advise and consent to the nominations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Technology,

____________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair