STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3798

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     GOV. MSG. NOS. 684, 691

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 684 and 691, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation

 

G.M. No. 684

MARGARITA HOPKINS,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022; and

 

G.M. No. 691

YUKIO KITAGAWA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Margarita Hopkins and Yukio Kitagawa for service on the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

 

MARGARITA HOPKINS

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Margarita Hopkins from the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Fish Company Inc., Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers, Hawaii Coffee Association, one councilmember of the County of Hawaii, and forty-five individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Hopkins' background, knowledge, and experience in agricultural development and as an agricultural economist qualify her for reappointment to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation as a member representing the County of Hawaii.  Ms. Hopkins recently worked as a lecturer at the College of Business and Economics and College of Agriculture, Forestry, & Natural Resources Management at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.  Previously she worked as the Agriculture Disaster Assistance Coordinator assisting recovery efforts for the agriculture industry negatively affected by Hurricane Iselle.  She has also worked for the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development preparing and updating the county agricultural development plan.  Ms. Hopkins also serves on numerous community boards and councils including the Diocesan Planning & Building Commission, Pacific West Area Institutional Biosafety Committee, and Big Island Resource Conservation & Development Council.  She has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation since 2014.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Hopkins brings to the Corporation extensive expertise in agricultural economics to assist the Corporation in meeting the current and future needs of Hawaii's agricultural sector.

 

YUKIO KITAGAWA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Yukio Kitagawa from the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Fish Company Inc., Hawaii Coffee Association, and thirty-nine individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Kitagawa's experience in agriculture, background, and knowledge qualify him for reappointment to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation as an at-large- member.  Mr. Kitagawa formerly served as the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture from 1988 through 1994.  He also previously served as Assistant Director of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Cooperative Extension Service and as Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.  Mr. Kitagawa currently serves on a number of community boards including the Hawaii Marketing Alliance, Wahiawa Hongwanji, C & C Agriculture Development Task Force, and Hawaii Agriculture Resource Center.  He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation from 1999 to 2002 and again since 2014.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Kitagawa brings to the Corporation extensive expertise in public service in the agriculture industry to assist the Corporation in supporting increased agriculture throughout the State.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment 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 Agriculture and Environment,

 

 

 

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair