STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3507

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 597

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

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

Stadium Authority

G.M. No. 597

ROSS YAMASAKI, for a term to expire 6-30-2018,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Ross Yamasaki to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Stadium Authority.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Ross Yamasaki from the Department of Accounting and General Services, Stadium Authority, and seventeen individuals.

     Mr. Yamasaki is currently President and Partner of KYA Sustainability Studio, a unique think tank and sustainability consultancy that provides sustainability master planning and programming, sustainable business development, and corporate social responsibility reporting for clients in the public and private sectors.  As the driving force and founder behind the KYA Sustainability Studio, Mr. Yamasaki is passionate about investing in local talent and transforming perceptions of Hawaii in order to navigate the future of Hawaii's sustainable enterprise.  At KYA Design Group, he has over twenty years of architectural experience and has been involved in many projects involving planning, development, design, and construction.  Mr. Yamasaki also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Architecture from the University of Hawaii.

     Mr. Yamasaki indicated in his personal statement that he sees an enduring need for a large scale sports and entertainment venue in Hawaii to serve both the local interests as well as those of the visitor industry.  He anticipates that this challenge is one of solvency and sustainability.

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Yamasaki's professional background in architecture, sustainability and marketing, community interests in sports and the visitor industry, and personal history will be great assets to the Authority.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing 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 Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing,

____________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair