STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1936

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 533, 659

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Tourism and Government Operations, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 533 and 659, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

 

Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority

 

G.M. No. 533

CHALENE "CHA" MAE KUUPUAALA THOMPSON,

for a term to expire 6-30-2010; and

 

G.M. No. 659

STEPHEN K. YAMASHIRO,

for a term to expire 6-30-2010,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Chalene "Cha" Mae Kuupuaala Thompson from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.; Cove Entertainment, Inc.; Kika, Inc.; Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association; Outrigger Enterprises, Inc.; Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association; Big Island Visitors Bureau; Aloha Airlines; Tihati Productions, Ltd.; Pacific Marketing Corporation; and one individual.

 

     Mrs. Thompson is the owner and Executive Vice President/Choreographer of Tihati Productions, Ltd.  She is Chair of the Honolulu Police Commission, and has served as Vice President of the Institute for Human Services and as President of Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association.  She is also a member of the Kaahumanu Society.

 

     Your Committee notes from the testimony that Mrs. Thompson has been a major influence in Hawaii's visitor industry for many years.  Her commitment to Hawaii's cultural heritage through music and dance has earned her the respect and appreciation of many people throughout the world.  She is a treasure and an ambassador, and her reputation, integrity, and commitment are firm and sincere towards the betterment of tourism in Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Stephen K. Yamashiro from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

     Mr. Yamashiro was originally appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority on May 5, 2002.  He is an attorney in private practice and former Mayor of the County of Hawaii.  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a Juris Doctor degree from Willamette University College of Law.  His community service includes the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, Japanese Chamber of Commerce, and Portuguese Chamber of Commerce.  Mr. Yamashiro also belongs to the Hawaii State Bar Association and American Bar Association.

 

     Your Committee notes from the testimony that Mr. Yamashiro has been an integral member of the Board for the past four years.  He has served as the budget and audit committee chair and his dedication and knowledge of the industry and passion for Hawaii are admirable.  His continuation as a Board member will be an asset to the Board of Directors.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism and Government Operations 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 Tourism and Government Operations,

 

 

 

____________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair