STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1997

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 662

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 662, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Hawai'i Community Development Authority

G.M. No. 662

PETER APO, for a term to expire 06-30-2027,

begs leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Peter Apo from the Hawai‘i Community Development Authority and Hawai‘i State Aha Moku. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Peter Apo from one individual. Your Committee notes that the testimony submitted in opposition to this nominee contained no substantive information or commentary relating to his appointment.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Apo's background, knowledge, and commitment to public service qualify him for appointment to the Hawaii Community Development Authority as a cultural specialist member. Mr. Apo has over forty-five years of experience in various leadership roles within all levels of government in the State and currently serves as the President of Peter Apo Company, LLC, which provides consulting services to Hawaii businesses, and President of Mamo Records. Mr. Apo previously served two terms as a Trustee for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and as the Director of Culture and Education for the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Director of Waikiki Development for the City and County of Honolulu, Special Assistant on Hawaiian Affairs to Governor Ben Cayetano, and served as a State Legislator in the Hawaii State House of Representatives for over a decade. In addition to his career in public service, Mr. Apo has also served on dozens of boards and commissions for various State and community organizations and has been honored with numerous accolades and awards, including the Lifetime Achievement O‘o Award from the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, Outstanding Public Service Award from the United States Army Pacific Command, Secretary of the Army Meritorious Service Award, and multiple music awards. Your Committee notes that Mr. Apo indicated in his personal statement that he hopes to bring his accumulated institutional knowledge and plethora of long-standing relationships with community and government leaders to the Hawaii Community Development Authority to help guide the Authority as a cultural specialist. Your Committee therefore recommends that Peter Apo be appointed to the Hawaii Community Development Authority based on his knowledge, experience, and dedication to public service.

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,

____________________________

LYNN DECOITE, Chair