STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1586

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 768

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. 768, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation

G.M. No. 768

SANDI KATO-KLUTKE, 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 Sandi Kato-Klutke to possess the requisite commitment, sincerity, dedication, and qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation. 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this nominee from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Office of the Mayor for the County of Kauai; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Kauai County Farm Bureau; Fujita and Miura Public Relations, Inc.; Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association; Kauai Economic Development Board, Inc.; NoKaOi Landscape Services, LLC; Garden Island Growers; Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Kauai Chapter; Coconut Coast Property Services, Inc.; BASF Plant Science; Maui County Farm Bureau; The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii; Kauai Chamber of Commerce; and fifteen individuals.

     Ms. Kato-Klutke earned a degree in banking from Kapiolani Community College and completed several semesters of accounting from Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon.  Throughout her extensive career, she has held numerous positions in the hospitality industry and is currently the General Manager of the Aston Islander on the Beach resort and condominium association.    Ms. Kato-Klutke serves on a number of community boards and committees, including the Board of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, Kauai Farm Bureau Commodities and Government Affairs Committee, Board of the Kauai Medical Clinic, Kauai Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee, and Important Agricultural Lands Stakeholder and Technical Advisory Committee for the County of Kauai.  Her vast experience in the visitor industry provides her with a unique perspective on agricultural tourism, which is assuming a larger role in agricultural sustainability.  In addition, Ms. Kato-Klutke is passionate about preserving and improving the water systems in Hawaii and possesses exceptional communication and leadership skills that will be an asset to the Board of the Agribusiness Development Corporation. 

     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