STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1204

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 580

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 580, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Deputy Comptroller of the Department of Accounting and General Services

G.M. No. 580

AUDREY HIDANO, for a term to expire at noon on 12-05-2022,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Audrey Hidano for service as the Deputy Comptroller.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the Deputy Comptroller of Audrey Hidano from the Governor; Department of Human Resources Development; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Department of Agriculture; Department of Budget and Finance; Department of Transportation; Department of Public Safety; Department of State Office of Veterans' Services; Office of Enterprise Technology Services; Stadium Authority of Aloha Stadium; Office of Environmental Quality Control; United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO; Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust; Building Industry Association of Hawaii; Electrical Contractors Association of Hawai‘i; SanHi Government Strategies, LLLP; Hawaii Carpenters Apprenticeship and Traning Fund; General Contractors Association of Hawaii; Homeworks Construction Inc.; and forty-five individuals.

Audrey Hidano is currently the Deputy Comptroller of the Department of Accounting and General Services, a position she has held since April 2015. Previously she served as Deputy Director of the Department of Transportation and twice served as Deputy Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Ms. Hidano also has an extensive career in the private sector. She co-founded Hidano Construction, Inc., with her husband in 1974, and helped run the company until its voluntary closure in 2016 and previously served as co-owner of Rim-Pac, Inc. She is currently Vice-President and Secretary of Grand Development, Inc. Ms. Hidano has acquired a range of expertise in the areas of personnel management, payroll, accounting, human resources management, and contract management over the course of her career in the construction and development industry. Ms. Hidano currently serves as an employer trustee with the Hawaii Employer-Union Benefits Trust Fund, and is a two-time past President of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii. Her extensive experience in the public and private sectors have enabled her to gain a clear understanding of procurement issues affecting state agencies and how those issues affect construction projects in Hawaii, and given her clear insight into the intricacies of running a business in the State. Ms. Hidano also has extensive community ties, having served as a board member of the City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Board #12 since 1989 and serving as a current board member of the Nuuanu YMCA.

Your Committee believes that the nominee possesses the qualifications to serve as the Deputy Comptroller and help lead the Department of Accounting and General Services. Ms. Hidano's invaluable background in the private and public sectors arm her with a wealth of experience to craft innovative solutions for the Department. Her experience in construction gives her a deep understanding of the industry and a wealth of industry contacts, which will be invaluable to her as she contributes to the leadership of a department charged with overseeing numerous state construction contracts. Testifiers commented on Ms. Hidano's sound judgment, commitment, professionalism, and solid work ethic. She is also noted as being honest, straightforward, and independent all the qualities of a great leader. These qualities will serve Ms. Hidano well as she works with personnel to make positive change within the Department.

Your Committee notes from the nominee's personal statement that her vision for the Department of Accounting and General Services is to continue to file Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports before the end of the calendar year, complete construction projects on time and on budget, give resources to the maintenance program so that state facilities can be properly maintained, keep the State Capitol ponds clean and maintained, and facilitate the Department to become paperless.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations 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 Government Operations,

____________________________

LAURA H. THIELEN, Chair