STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3721

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 871

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 871, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Tax Review Commission

G.M. No. 871

MICHELLE NALANI FUJIMORI KAINA, for a term to expire 06-30-2019 (Date of expiration removed by GM890),

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee reviewed the personal statement and resume submitted by Michelle Nalani Fujimori Kaina and finds that the nominee has the necessary qualifications to serve on the Tax Review Commission.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Michelle Nalani Fujimori Kaina from the Department of Taxation, Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations, Hawaii Community Foundation, and two individuals.

     Ms. Fujimori Kaina received a Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Ms. Fujimori Kaina joined the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii as a staff attorney in 1999, served as the organization's Deputy Director from 2004 to 2009, and currently serves as its Executive Director.

     Ms. Kaina is active in the community and serves as the Chair of Hawaii State Advisory Council of the United States Commission on Civil Rights; the Secretary of Rural Community Assistance Corporation; and in other leadership roles.  She previously served as Director and President of Hawaii Women Lawyers; a member of the Litigation Committee of the American Civil Liberties Union; Director and Chair of Envision Hawaii; Director of the Maui County Bar Association; Director of Molokai Occupational Center; and Director of Hale Hookupaa Outpatient Residential Treatment Center.

     Your Committee believes that Ms. Kaina's extensive legal expertise and experience leading nonprofit organizations throughout the State will be beneficial to the Commission in conducting a systematic review of the State's tax structure. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means 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 Ways and Means,

____________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair