STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1076

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 597

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 597, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Board of Agriculture

G.M. No. 597

GLENN HONG, for a term to expire 6-30-2017,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Glenn Hong from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Young Brothers Limited; Meadow Gold Dairies; Amergent Techs; and the Maritime Group.

     Mr. Hong graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Accounting.  Mr. Hong is currently the President of Young Brothers, Limited, and Hawaiian Tug and Barge, which provides transportation services via water routes and ship-assist services to the Hawaiian islands.  Mr. Hong has a wide range of professional experience including as the Controller of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Director of Financial Analysis for GTE Corporation, Audit Director of GTE Telephone Operations, and as an accountant.  Mr. Hong has been involved in numerous community and business organizations during his career, including Board Chair of the Hawaii Employers Council, Executive Committee member of the Hawaii Harbors Users Group, and Advisory Board member of the University Of Hawaii Shidler School Of Business.

     Mr. Hong has provided outstanding service on the Board of Agriculture for the past eight months and brings a unique and vital perspective to the Board.  In only eight months, Mr. Hong has proven to be an active participant on the Board and has forged an excellent working relationship with the other Board members.  Transportation of agricultural commodities is an essential component for the success of any agricultural venture in Hawaii.  Mr. Hong's decades of experience in the transportation field provide key insight and perspective on the issue of transportation of agricultural commodities and provide the Board with a fuller view of all the factors and challenges our local farmers are facing.  His significant business background brings additional insight to the Board on issues regarding agribusiness in Hawaii. 

     Mr. Hong testified that he believes water is the most critical resource for Hawaii's community and economy and is dedicated to conserving water resources and ensuring water resources are available for future generations in Hawaii.  Given the foregoing, your Committee believes that Mr. Hong possesses the requisite commitment, sincerity, dedication, and qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Agriculture. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture 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 Agriculture,

____________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair