SSCR1844

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1844

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 512, 539

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 512 and 539, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Hawai'i Technology Development Corporation

G.M. No. 512

JACLYN KAINA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2028; and

G.M. No. 539

GREGORY UEHARA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2028,

begs leave to report as follows:

JACLYN KAINA

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Jaclyn Kaina and Gregory Uehara for service on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.

Your Committee notes that G.M. Nos. 512 and 539 fail to specify the boards or commissions for which these nominations were submitted; however, the documents submitted by and on behalf of the nominees make clear that the nominations are for service on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jaclyn Kaina from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; Board of Directors of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; one member of the State of Hawaii House of Representatives; Office of Economic Development of the County of Kauai; Office of the Complex Area Superintendent, Kauaʻi Schools; Hawaii Agriculture Research Center; and three individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Kaina's knowledge, interest, and proven expertise qualify her for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation as a member from the Economic Development Board of Maui, Kauai, or Hawaii County. Your Committee notes that over the past ten years, Ms. Kaina has advanced through multiple positions within the Kauai Economic Development Board, starting as the Program Manager for its Kauai Comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan from 2015 to 2019 and Director of Programs and Business Development from 2019 to 2022. Since 2022, Ms. Kaina has been serving as the Executive Director of the Kauai Economic Development Board, managing its day-to-day operations, including the implementation of policies, management of staff, and execution of its strategic plan. As the Executive Director, Ms. Kaina also engages with stakeholders, donors, and the community to secure resources from the public and private sectors, thereby ensuring the board's fiscal health and sustainability. Your Committee further notes that Ms. Kaina is involved in her community and currently serves as a member of the Hawaii Workforce Development Board, Kauai Workforce Development Board, and the Board of Directors for the Economic Development Alliance Hawaiʻi, and as a community advisor for the Friends of Kauai Community College. Your Committee also finds that Ms. Kaina thoroughly understands the role and responsibilities of board members and her extensive experience in economic and workforce development will be an asset to the Board of Directors. Your Committee therefore recommends that Jaclyn Kaina be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

GREGORY UEHARA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Gregory Uehara from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; Board of Directors of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; Focal Therapies; Nalu Scientific, LLC; Kaimana Hila; and four individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Uehara's knowledge, interest, and proven expertise qualify him for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation as a nominee submitted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Your Committee notes that Mr. Uehara is an electrical engineer and entrepreneur with over thirty years of experience in both industry and academia. After earning his Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley in 1993, Mr. Uehara joined the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Hawaii as an assistant professor and received early tenure as an associate professor in 1997. Mr. Uehara left academia in 2005 to participate in the entrepreneur-at-residence program at Austin Ventures, and thereafter, was recruited by Marvell Technology, Inc. as an Associate Vice President of Engineering responsible for developing cellular radios to be integrated into Blackberry and other cellular handsets. In 2012, Mr. Uehara returned to Hawaii and in 2015, founded Alert Core, Inc., where he developed a wearable device for applications in physical therapy rehabilitation, athletic improvement, and injury prevention, and obtained numerous patents for many of the foundational concepts. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Uehara currently has forty-five patents issued in the United States, one patent issued in Japan, and additional patents pending. Mr. Uehara has recently received an adjunct professor appointment from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Hawaii. Your Committee notes that Mr. Uehara has been serving on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation as an interim member, and therefore has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of its members. Your Committee finds that Mr. Uehara's wealth of experience and knowledge in engineering, research and product development, technology business entrepreneurship, and patent applications, and commitment to fostering innovation and supporting small- to mid-size businesses, will be great assets to the Board of Directors. Your Committee therefore recommends that Gregory Uehara be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

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

____________________________

LYNN DECOITE, Chair