STAND. COM. REP. NO. 17

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 516

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation and International Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 516, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Director of the Department of Transportation

G.M. No. 516

GLENN M. OKIMOTO, for a term to expire December 1, 2014,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Glenn M. Okimoto from Governor Neil Abercrombie; Department of Transportation; Department of Budget and Finance; Commission on Transportation; HMS Host; Hawaii Transportation Association; Watanabe Ing LLP; Hawaiian Airlines; Airlines Committee of Hawaii; Hawaii Laborers' Union; International Currency Services; Jas. W. Glover, Ltd.; DFS Hawaii; Hawaii Fueling Facilities Corporation; Ku‘iwalu; PB Americas, Inc.; Lyon Associates, Inc.; Coalition of Hawaii Engineering and Architectural Professionals; The Mestizo Association; Hawaii Harbors Users Group; American Marine Corporation; Greeters of Hawaii; the Pacific Resource Partnership; Ameron Hawaii; American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii; Young Brothers; Hawaii LECET; Radcliffe and Associates, LLC; Matson Navigation Company; Law Offices of James J. Stone; Shioi Construction, Inc.; The Gas Company; Bowers and Kubota Consulting; Grove Farm; Sause Bros.; Hawaii Bicycling League; and twelve individuals.  Comments were received by one individual.

     Mr. Okimoto has worked for the state of Hawaii for thirty years, of which twenty-seven have been with the Department of Transportation.  Since his temporary appointment on December 15, 2010, Mr. Okimoto has shown tremendous leadership skills within the Department of Transportation.  His management abilities and skill set are exactly what is needed in the Department to move the State forward.  He also understands the challenges ahead.  His background and experience make him uniquely qualified.  His first job at the Department was as a staff economist performing financial analyses and forecasts for airports, harbors, and highways.  Mr. Okimoto then transitioned to the Department's budget office where he reviewed and made recommendations on budget requests.  Subsequently, Mr. Okimoto was appointed the Deputy Director for Administration where he oversaw the personnel, property management, information technology, budget, and the contracts office.  That unique experience has given him a broad understanding of the financing and operational aspects of the entire Department.

     Your Committee notes from the nominee's testimony that his primary goal is to move needed capital improvement projects, including airport, harbor, and highway projects that are necessary to renew and revitalize our transportation facilities to help Hawaii move into the future and to get our people working.  These projects will create a world class airport system and a highly efficient harbor and highway system.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and International 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 Transportation and International Affairs,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair