STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2945

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 255, 278

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Education and Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 255 and 278, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Board of Directors of the Hawai'i Public Housing Authority (HPHA)

G.M. No. 255	MATTIE A. YOSHIOKA, for a term to expire 6-30-2014; and
G.M. No. 278	ROGER K. GODFREY, 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, and finds Mattie A. Yoshioka and Roger K. Godfrey have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA).

     Testimony in support of Ms. Yoshioka was submitted by the Governor's office, two state agencies, two county agencies, and two individuals. 

     Ms. Yoshioka received a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and an Associate's degree in Accounting from Windward Community College.

     Ms. Yoshioka's professional experience includes over twenty years of service with the County of Kauai, relating primarily to Community Development.  She is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Kauai Economic Development Board, Inc., and she has previously served as Director of the Kauai County Offices of Community Assistance, Housing Administrator of the County of Kauai Housing Agency, Community Development Block Grant Coordinator for the County of Kauai, and Office Accountant of the Kauai County Office of Elderly Affairs.

     Ms. Yoshioka has also served or currently serves as a member of various boards and commissions, including the Kauai Workforce Investment Board, Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii, Kauai County Charter Review Commission, and the Mayor's Housing Advisory Committee.  She has served on the Board of Directors of the HPHA since 2006 and currently serves as the Board Secretary.

     As evidenced by Ms. Yoshioka's work history and involvement in community development, affordable housing, and economic development, Ms. Yoshioka is dedicated to the important work of the Board of Directors of the HPHA in completing capital improvement projects in a timely manner, improving the efficiency and accuracy of the financing reporting system of the HPHA, and providing a decent and safe living environment for Hawaii's residents.  She also contributes an important neighbor island perspective to the Board.

     Ms. Yoshioka is committed to continuing work toward the goals set by HPHA when she first began serving on the Board.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Yoshioka is a valuable contributor to the Board of Directors of the HPHA and recommends that she be reappointed for another term on the Board.

     Testimony in support of Mr. Godfrey was submitted by the Governor's office, two state agencies, and one individual.

     Mr. Godfrey earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance and Marketing from the University of Wisconsin and a Master of Business Administration degree in Business from Stanford University.  His academic background in Business is bolstered by over forty years of top-level administrative work experience as the President of Times Super Market, Division President of Fleming Companies, Inc., Director of Distribution at Foodland Supermarkets, Ltd., Executive Vice President/General Manager of Certified Corporation, and President/Owner of Key Markets in California.

     Mr. Godfrey currently serves in an interim capacity on the Finance Subcommittee of the Board of Directors of the HPHA.  Despite a limited amount of experience in public housing issues, he has served on the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Board and Oahu Workforce Investment Board, gaining valuable experience in government operations.  Mr. Godfrey offers valuable expertise in fiscal responsibility, budgeting, cost control, and capital expenditures to assist the Board as it improves accounting and finances for HPHA and resolves ongoing development issues for some of its housing projects.

     Your Committee is confident that Mr. Godfrey's extensive experience and success in the private business sector will make him a valuable asset to the Board as it navigates through difficult fiscal issues.

     Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and Housing 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 Education and Housing,

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair