STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3985

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 828

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 828, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Hawaii Community Development Authority

G.M. No. 828

STERLING HIGA, for a term to expire 06-30-2026,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Sterling Higa for service on the Hawaii Community Development Authority.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Sterling Higa from the Hawaii Community Development Authority, Hawai‘i Laborers & Employers Cooperation and Education Trust Fund, and ten individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Higa's leadership and desire to serve qualify him for appointment to the Hawaii Community Development Authority as an at-large member, pursuant to section 206E-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Your Committee finds that Mr. Higa was born and raised in Honolulu. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communicology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a Master of Arts in Education from Harvard University. He has over ten years of experience in teaching, with a focus on coaching, public speaking, and writing. Your Committee notes that in 2021, Mr. Higa co-founded Housing Hawaii's Future, a nonprofit aimed at addressing the workforce housing shortage through education and civic engagement, and currently serves as its Executive Director. During the hearing, Mr. Higa pledged to work hard to understand the issues heard before the Hawaii Community Development Authority and strive to represent the needs and concerns of Millennials and Generation Z, if appointed. Your Committee further finds that Mr. Higa has an understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and believes that his youth and leadership will be assets to the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Your Committee therefore recommends that Sterling Higa be appointed to the Hawaii Community Development Authority based on his leadership and desire to serve the public.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism 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 Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

____________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair