SSCR3705

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3705

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 791, 792

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 791 and 792, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Board Of Directors Of The Agribusiness Development Corporation

G.M. No. 791

LETITIA UYEHARA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020; and

G.M. No. 792

DENISE ALBANO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Letitia Uyehara and Denise Albano to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated for reappointment to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

LETITIA UYEHARA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Letitia Uyehara from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Meadow Gold Dairies; Kawamata Farms, LLC; Hirako Farms, Inc.; The Family Farm, Inc.; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; and five individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Uyehara's experience as the Director of Marketing and Food Safety at Armstrong Produce, Ltd.; commitment to public service; and proven leadership qualify her for reappointment to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Your Committee notes that Ms. Uyehara has served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation since 2012. She has many years of experience in the agricultural industry and has served previously as the Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture, Administrative Assistant to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Director of the Department of Health Office of Environmental Quality Control. Based on Ms. Uyehara's knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service, your Committee finds that Ms. Uyehara will continue to be an asset to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

DENISE ALBANO

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Denise Albano from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; The Trust for Public Land; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Ulupono Initiative; Meadow Gold Dairies; Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights; Shinsato Farm; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; and seven individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Albano's experience as a Water Systems Planner in the Department of Agriculture, commitment to public service, and proven leadership qualify her for reappointment to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Your Committee notes that Ms. Albano has served as an interim member of the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation since 2014 and is the Co-Founder and prior President of Feed the Hunger Foundation. She has a background in social services for youth and has served previously on several Boards in San Francisco including the Edgewood Center for Children and Families, Presidio Community YMCA, and Mayor's Office Task Force on Ending the Sexual Exploitation of Youth. Based on Ms. Albano's knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service, your Committee finds that Ms. Albano will continue to be an asset to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and 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 Water, Land, and Agriculture,

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair