STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1550

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 719

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 719, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Board of Directors of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai'i Authority

G.M. No. 719

JOHN DELONG, for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds John Delong to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority (NELHA).

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Mr. DeLong from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; High Technology Development Corporation; BioEnergy Hawaii LLC; and two individuals.

     Your Committee notes that Mr. DeLong has over twenty years of executive and senior management experience at various companies.  Mr. DeLong has served as President of Hawaiian Cement and West Hawaii Concrete since 2005.  Additionally, Mr. DeLong has demonstrated significant dedication to public service, as evidenced by his exemplary service as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of NELHA, in addition to his service on the Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation and to a wide variety of community organizations.  Under Mr. DeLong's leadership, NELHA's annual revenues grew by fifty percent to over $3,750,000 and became financially self-sufficient, no longer requiring state general funds for day-to-day operations.

     Testifiers remark on Mr. DeLong's strong background in construction, private sector experience, and scientific background in chemical engineering, all of which make him an innovative leader with a deep understanding of growing businesses in Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that Mr. DeLong has been reappointed to the Board of Directors of NELHA based on his knowledge, professional experience, and commitment to public service.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment 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 Energy and Environment,

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair