STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3058

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 372, 373

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 372 and 373, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation

G.M. No. 372	DUANE C.K. LAU, for a term to expire 6-30-2014; and
G.M. No. 373	DAVID G. RIETOW, for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements of the nominees, and finds Duane C.K. Lau and David G. Rietow to have the necessary qualifications for the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Duane C.K. Lau was submitted by two state agencies, three organizations, and two individuals. 

     Mr. Lau presently serves on the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation and is an at-large member.  He received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of San Francisco.  Mr. Lau is presently employed as the Vice President for Sales and Marketing for May's Wonder Gardens in Haleiwa, and is a manager of Hawaiian Candies and Nuts, Ltd.  He is a past President of the Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association, a past Region 9 Director of the American Association of Meat Processors, a member of the Rural Economic Transition Assistance – Hawaii Program board, and a member of the Meat and Poultry Association of Hawaii.

     Mr. Lau has forty years experience in the food industry.  His family owned and operated the Palama Meat Co., Inc. which was heavily involved with the cattle and livestock industry statewide, and he now operates the May's Wonder Gardens' hydroponic lettuce operations.  Mr. Lau wishes to contribute to the Agribusiness Development Corporation as a small farmer, and examine statewide initiatives from the viewpoint of how they will affect small farmers.  His experience as the Region 9 Director of the American Association of Meat Processors, the largest trade association for the American meat industry, taught him to work with members from all areas of the industry and the importance of balancing issues to see all viewpoints.  He brings that experience to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to balance the interests of small farmers and statewide policies.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of David G. Rietow was submitted by two state agencies, two organizations, and one individual.

     Mr. Rietow presently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation and represents West Hawaii.  He received his Bachelor's degree in Agronomy from Arizona State University.  Mr. Rietow presently serves as the President and Co-owner of Agro Resources, Inc. and Agricon Hawaii, Inc.  Agro Resources, Inc. is an agribusiness management firm organized to plan, develop, and manage diversified agribusiness ventures, primarily working with macadamia nut farms, coffee plantations, and tropical fruit orchards on the island of Hawaii.  Agricon Hawaii, Inc. is an agribusiness consulting firm that specializes in providing technical and financial information for tropical crops, livestock, and aquaculture.  He is the President of the Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association and is on the Board of Governors for the Hawaii Employers Council. 

     Mr. Rietow has forty years of experience in Hawaii's agricultural sector.  He has designed and installed irrigation systems, managed water systems, managed fully integrated agribusinesses, created business plans for agricultural projects, and been an active member of various boards and commissions providing him with extensive experience with the decision making process.  Mr. Rietow would like to continue to work with the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire and manage water systems and land that can have a significant impact on Hawaii's agricultural industry. 

     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 Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs 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 Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair