STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3998

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 829, 830, 831, 832, 833

 

 

 

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 Nos. 829, 830, 831, 832, and 833, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority

 

G.M. No. 829

JAMES MCCULLY,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026;

 

G.M. No. 830

STEPHANIE IONA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026;

 

G.M. No. 831

KIMBERLY AGAS,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026;

 

G.M. No. 832

FAYLENE DUARTE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026; and

 

G.M. No. 833

MICHAEL WHITE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by James McCully, Stephanie Iona, Kimberly Agas, Faylene Duarte, and Michael White for service on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

JAMES MCCULLY

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of James McCully from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, HPM Building Supply, Ulu Development, and ten individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. McCully's experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service qualify him for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority as a representative of the County of Hawaii pursuant to section 201B-2(b)(2), Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. McCully has lived on the island of Hawaii for his entire adult life, and has been a farmer since 1976.  He is deeply involved in the community and has been a member of numerous farm and small business associations, in addition to the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce and the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board.  Your Committee notes that Mr. McCully was a member of the Hawaii County Board of Appeals beginning in 2017, and served as chairperson of that body from 2018 to 2021.  Your Committee additionally finds that Mr. McCully's considerable experience as a farmer and small business owner, as well as his extensive connections with the community, gives him a unique and valuable perspective of the tourism-related impacts and resources of the County of Hawaii in particular, and in the State as a whole.  His knowledge and integrity will be great assets to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  Your Committee therefore recommends that James McCully be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority based on his experience, history of public service, and commitment to community engagement.

 

STEPHANIE IONA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Stephanie Iona from the Office of the Managing Director of the County of Kaua‘i; Kauai Filipino Chamber of Commerce; Sunrise Capital, Inc.; Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association; Historic Waimea Theater and Cultural Arts Center; Hawaii Food Service Alliance, LLC; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Kaua‘i Economic Development Board; Grove Farm; and nine individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Iona's experience, knowledge, and commitment to supporting and serving her community qualify her for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority as a member selected from a list submitted by the President of the Senate and representative of the County of Kauai pursuant to section 201B‑2(b)(2), Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Iona worked in management and development roles at numerous hotels and resort properties from 1971 to 2013.  She has been involved in positions of leadership in numerous projects and enterprises within the tourism industry that involved balancing visitor interests with the need to preserve natural resources, providing housing and food support to vulnerable members of the community, and providing rewarding and authentic experiences to visitors from outside the State.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Iona also has significant experience as a leader in business outside of the tourism industry, and has been a member of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Kauai Region Board for more than eight years, serving as chairperson for the last three years.  Your Committee additionally finds that she is active in the community, and has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Kauai Chamber of Commerce and the Kauai Visitors Bureau.  Her experience, expertise, and deep connections throughout the tourism industry will be great assets to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Stephanie Iona be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority based on her experience, knowledge, and proven history of service to her community.

 

KIMBERLY AGAS

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Kimberly Agas from the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Agas' experience, expertise, and willingness to serve qualify her for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority as a member selected from a list submitted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Agas has worked in hotel and resort management continuously since 1989.  She has been the General Manager of the Aulani Disney Resort and Spa since 2011, and prior to that, was Vice President of Operations for Outrigger Beachfront Deluxe Resorts.  In both of these executive leadership roles, her duties have included managing resort operations, in addition to strategic planning responsibilities and coordinating with numerous community and industry stakeholders.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Agas has been active in the community outside the tourism industry as well, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Honolulu Zoological Society and Board of Directors of the Bishop Museum Association Council.  Her extensive knowledge of the tourism industry, experience, and leadership abilities will be great assets to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Kimberly Agas be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority based on her executive qualifications, knowledge, and commitment to serving her community.

 

FAYLENE DUARTE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Faylene Duarte from Āina Aloha Economic Futures Initiative Hui, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Hawaii Investment Ready, Oahu Economic Development Board, The Trust for Public Land, and eleven individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Duarte's experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service qualify her for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority as a member selected from a list submitted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Duarte has held a variety of positions related to education and cultural preservation throughout her career, in addition to being a small business owner.  She has served as Head of School for Kano o ka ‘Āina New Century Public Charter School and Hālau Kū Māna New Century Public Charter School, and facilitated strategic change processes at both institutions that increased enrollment, expanded academic opportunities, and improved outcomes for students.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Duarte is active in the community and is a member of several boards and public service organizations, including the Trust for Public Land, Friends of ‘Iolani Palace, and O‘ahu Economic Development Board.  She is an experienced cultural educator and practitioner, and her extensive knowledge and expertise will be great assets to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Faylene Duarte be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority based on her experience, qualifications, and desire to serve the public.

 

MICHAEL WHITE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Michael White from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui, one member of the Maui County Council, Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and two individuals. 

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. White's experience, knowledge, and willingness to serve qualify him for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  Your Committee finds that he is currently the general manager of the Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel and The Plantation Inn, and that he has held this position since 1985.  Prior to his current position, he had worked in resort and hotel management at a variety of properties since 1971.  Your Committee notes that Mr. White served in the state House of Representatives from 1993 to 1998 as the Representative for District 7, serving West Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, and Kaho‘olawe, as well as serving on the Maui County Council as Council Member and Council Chair from 2011 to 2018.  In addition, he is a member of numerous professional and community organizations relating to tourism, including the Hawaiian Cultural Program Advisory Council of the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Board of Directors of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association.  His extensive experience in the tourism industry, expertise, and commitment to serving the community will be great assets to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Michael White be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority based on his experience, knowledge, and dedication to community engagement.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair