STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3448

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 626, 627

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 626 and 627, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Directors of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund

 

G.M. No. 626

STAFFORD KIGUCHI,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015; and

 

G.M. No. 627

MICHAEL HAMNETT,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Stafford Kiguchi and Michael Hamnett to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund.

 

STAFFORD KIGUCHI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Stafford Kiguchi from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Financial Services Association, Hawaii Bankers Association, American Diabetes Association, and five individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Kiguchi's background, experience, and commitment to public service qualify him for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Kiguchi is the Executive Vice President and Manager of Government Relations and Corporate Communications for Bank of Hawaii.  Mr. Kiguchi's extensive professional experience includes governmental relations, internal and external corporate communications, issues and reputation management, and crisis and risk communications.  Mr. Kiguchi has also served on several professional and community associations, including the American Diabetes Association, Hawaii Chapter; Move Forward Oahu; Hawaii Bankers Association; and Public Relations Society of America, Hawaii Chapter.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Kiguchi has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and recommends that Mr. Kiguchi be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund based on his experience, knowledge, and dedication to protecting the interests of the public.

 

MICHAEL HAMNETT

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Michael Hamnett from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, State Civil Defense Division of the Department of Defense, and six individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Hamnett's background, experience, and proven leadership on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund qualify him for reappointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Hamnett is currently the Executive Director of the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii; has over thirty years of experience in the fields of disaster preparedness and mitigation in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands region; and has worked extensively on climate variability and change and their impacts on extreme weather events such as hurricanes.  Mr. Hamnett has also worked with the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund since 1993, as a member and chair of the Technical Advisory Committee.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Hamnett has been on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund since 2009 and currently serves as its Chair.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Hamnett be reappointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund based on his extensive experience, knowledge, and commitment to reducing the risk of catastrophic damage from future hurricanes.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection 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 Commerce and Consumer Protection,

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair