STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1422

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 576

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 576, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Board of Directors of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority

G.M. No. 576

MAKANI MAEVA, for a term to expire 6-30-2012,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history and statement submitted by the nominee, and finds Makani Maeva to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority (NELHA).

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Ms. Maeva was submitted by the Senior Policy Advisor to the Governor, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and six individuals.  Written testimony presented to your Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Ms. Maeva received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Humanities, with a minor in Business, from Pepperdine University in California.  She is currently a Director with Pacific Housing Advisors, a company that provides independent financial consulting to developers of affordable housing projects throughout the United States, including Hawaii.  Ms. Maeva runs the Honolulu office of Pacific Housing Advisors, and is also responsible for project development at Allied Pacific Development, Inc., which is active in a wide range of real estate development activities, including the development and management of projects in all real estate sectors.  Ms. Maeva specializes in the acquisition, construction, and renovation of affordable housing projects using federal and state low income housing credits.  In her development endeavors, she has been a strong advocate for using renewable energy systems to address energy issues with her projects.  Significantly, her most recent project is located on the Kona Coast.  Prior to her current position, Ms. Maeva was a Project Manager with Coastal Rim Properties.

     Ms. Maeva is also actively involved in the community.  She is a member of Housing Hawaii, which is a broad coalition of public, private, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to creating, preserving and supporting affordable housing through education and development.  She has also been involved in the community through Windward Boys and Girls Club, the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club, Kawaihao Church, and the Outrigger Canoe Club.

     Ms. Maeva's impressive background in finance and business development, together with her knowledge of and experience with renewable energy technologies, will be a great asset to the NELHA Board of Directors. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment 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 Energy and Environment,

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair