STAND. COM. REP. NO. 858

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 630

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 630, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Board of Directors of the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii

G.M. No. 630

RAYNARD SOON, for a term to expire 6-30-2017,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Raynard Soon to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Raynard Soon from the Governor and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Soon received a Bachelor's degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  He received a Master's degree in City Planning from Harvard University.

     Mr. Soon spent nine years as a planner with the State and private entities.  He then went on to co-found Hawaii Opinion, now known as The OmniTrak Group, a market research and planning firm.

     Mr. Soon also served as the Director of Land Development and Land Management and Director of the Temporary Development Assistance Group at the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.  From 1999 through 2003, Mr. Soon served as the Chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

     Mr. Soon is currently the President of Solutions Pacific and is a private consultant taking on strategic planning projects using the skills he has developed over the years.

     Mr. Soon's varied professional background will make him an excellent addition to the Board of Directors of the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii.  Mr. Soon's wealth of knowledge and exceptional leadership experience will greatly benefit the Board and assist it in further supporting the research and long-term development of the University of Hawaii System and the State.

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

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair