STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3421

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 619, 620

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 619 and 620, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation

G.M. No. 619	KEKOA KALUHIWA, for a term to expire 6-30-2018; and
G.M. No. 620	JOAN NAMKOONG, for a term to expire 6-30-2018,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories and resumes submitted by the nominees and finds Kekoa Kaluhiwa and Joan Namkoong to possess the requisite commitment, sincerity, dedication, and qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

KEKOA KALUHIWA

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this nominee from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Hamakua County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Ku‘iwalu; Young Brothers, Ltd.; Ko‘olau Foundation; Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club; First Wind; and twelve individuals. 

     Mr. Kaluhiwa earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Washington and a Master's degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Environmental Planning and Management Theory from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  He currently serves as the Principal for Kuano‘o Communications LLC, providing clients with government and public relations strategies and services, including legislative lobbying, bill tracking, and media monitoring.  He previously served as the Director of External Affairs for First Wind Energy where he served as a government, community, and media relations representative for the largest renewable energy provider in Hawaii.  He has also worked for the Office of United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka as an Executive Assistant; as an Intern at the Land Assets Division of Kamehameha Schools; and as a Fellow for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Mr. Kaluhiwa is an active community member and, among other activities, serves on the Board of the Kualoa-He‘eia Ecumenical Youth Project and is a Volunteer Instructor for the Hunter Education Program under the Department of Land and Natural Resources.  Given Mr. Kaluhiwa's valuable leadership skills and wealth of business experience, he will be a great asset to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

JOAN NAMKOONG

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this nominee from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Kauai Chamber of Commerce; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Kukaiau Ranch, LLC; Matsuda-Fukuyama Farms, Inc.; 4 Ag Hawaii; Armstrong Produce; Sugarland Growers Inc.; and twenty-one individuals.

     Ms. Namkoong, an avid supporter of local agriculture, is currently a freelance food writer with monthly columns for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.  She also serves on the board of the Hawaii Culinary Education Foundation and the Hawaii Cattle Producers Coop.  In 2003, Ms. Namkoong cofounded the widely popular Kapiolani Community College Farmers' Market, which sparked the emergence of farmers' markets throughout the State.  As food editor for the Honolulu Advertiser from 1994 to 2001, she reported on emerging food trends and the development of diversified agriculture, as well as many stories that supported local food crops and farmers.  She is also an author of several books devoted to local foods and chefs in Hawaii.  From 1976 to 1992, she owned and ran the Compleat Kitchen, the first retailer of kitchenware in Hawaii with stores in Kahala Mall and Ala Moana Center.  Ms. Namkoong's valuable business experience, community advocacy, and agricultural knowledge will be an asset to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation, as a Hawaii County representative. 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

____________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair