Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 684 and 685, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

ROBERT E. COOPER is currently the president of W.H. Shipman, Ltd., a land holding company, and has also served as the president of Eleu Hilo, Inc. Mr. Cooper also was the vice president of development at Blackfield Hawaii Corporation and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from San Jose State College. He was a former president of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce and is currently a board member of the Arc of Hilo and is a co-chair for the Peanut Butter Ministry in Hilo, Hawaii.

Testimony in support of Mr. Cooper was submitted by the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, and one individual.

SUSAN T. HARADA is the director of operations at Castle & Cooke's Dole Plantation and holds a bachelor's degree in fashion merchandising from the University of Hawaii. She manages all facility operations, including food and beverage, retail, attractions, and marketing, and has helped create a business alliance with North Shore area businesses to promote diversified agriculture. Ms. Harada has also participated in the Weed Circle Clean Up and the Special Olympics in Hawaii.

Testimony in support of Ms. Harada was submitted by the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Castle & Cooke Hawaii's Oahu Residential and Commercial Operations, Dole Food Company Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Jim Little Nursery & Farms, Kahuku Brand, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, North Shore Cattle Company, Oils of Aloha, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the nominees' experience, background, and commitment to public service make each an asset to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is 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.