STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3610

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, and 647, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation

 

G.M. No. 642

FREDERICK LAU,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 643

FREDERICK LAU,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 644

KAREN SEDDON,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 645

KEVIN HOPKINS,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022;

 

G.M. No. 646

LLOYD HARAGUCHI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023; and

 

G.M. No. 647

WARREN WATANABE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Frederick Lau, Karen Seddon, Kevin Hopkins, Lloyd Haraguchi, and Warren Watanabe for service on the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

 

FREDERICK LAU

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Frederick Lau from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Kauai County Farm Bureau; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; a Hawaii County Councilmember; and twenty-four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Lau's professional experience, background, and desire to serve his community qualify him for consideration for appointment and reappointment to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation as a member representing the City and County of Honolulu.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Lau has been a small business owner of local nurseries and landscape companies for over thirty years.  Your Committee further notes that Mr. Lau's experience will provide a diverse and unique perspective to the Agribusiness Development Corporation.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Lau be appointed and reappointed to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation based on his experience, knowledge, and desire to contribute to the community.

 

KAREN SEDDON

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Karen Seddon from the Agribusiness Development Corporation and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Seddon's background, knowledge, and dedication to public service qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation as an at‑large member.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Seddon has been Regional Vice President of The Michaels Organization, a company that provides development, management, construction, and finance services, since 2016.  Ms. Seddon is also actively engaged in her community, having served on a number of professional housing and development organizations, including the Urban Land Institute.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Seddon's experience will provide a diverse and unique perspective to the Agribusiness Development Corporation.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Seddon be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation based on her knowledge and demonstrated commitment to public service.

 

KEVIN HOPKINS

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Kevin Hopkins from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Kauai County Farm Bureau; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; a Hawaii County Councilmember; and twenty-two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Hopkins' background, knowledge and desire to serve his community qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation as a member representing Hawai‘i County.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Hopkins has a doctorate degree in Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures from Auburn University and previously served as the director at both the Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and the Consortium for International Fisheries and Aquaculture Development based at Oregon State University.  Dr. Hopkins is currently employed as a Professor of Aquaculture at the University of Hawaii at Hilo since 1997 and has provided consulting services in aquaculture and agriculture, specifically the production of sturgeon and kava, since 1998.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Hopkins has served on the board as an interim member since February 2020.  Dr. Hopkins's experience will continue to provide a diverse and unique perspective to the Agribusiness Development Corporation.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Hopkins be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation based on his knowledge and desire to contribute to the community.

 

LLOYD HARAGUCHI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Lloyd Haraguchi from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Kauai County Farm Bureau; and twenty-one individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Haraguchi's experience with property and land management qualify him for reappointment to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation as an at-large member.  Mr. Haraguchi is the former Executive Director of the Public Land Development Corporation.  He previously worked for James Campbell Company, LLC, managing Hawaii Land Management assets consisting of agricultural land, water systems, telecom sites, and other zoned property; Fort Street Investment Corporation, managing commercial retail and office properties on Oahu; the Estate of James Campbell, managing, planning, and negotiating the permitting for land development projects in Kapolei and Kahuku; and the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, planning and overseeing the development of affordable housing projects on Oahu and Hawaii.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Haraguchi has served on the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation since 2015.  Mr. Haraguchi's leadership, experience, and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Haraguchi be reappointed to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation based on his knowledge and dedication to public service.

 

WARREN WATANABE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Warren Watanabe from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Ulupalakua Ranch; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Matson, Inc.; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Kauai County Farm Bureau; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; a Hawaii County Councilmember; and thirty-four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Watanabe's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify him to be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation as an at-large member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Watanabe has been the Executive Director of the Maui County Farm Bureau since 2012.  Mr. Watanabe also has served as a member of a number of professional associations and advisory committees and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of board members.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Watanabe has served on the board as an interim member since June 2019.  Mr. Watanabe's experience will continue to provide a diverse and unique perspective to the Agribusiness Development Corporation.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Watanabe be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to serving his community.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair