STAND. COM. REP. NO. 525

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534, 535

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534, and 535, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Hawaii Community Development Authority

 

G.M. No. 525

JOHN WHALEN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 526

TOM MCLAUGHLIN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 527

AMY S. LUERSEN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 528

DONNA CAMVEL,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017;

 

G.M. No. 529

BRETT N. PREJEAN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 530

MICHAEL J. GOLOJUCH, SR.,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 531

SHIRLEY S. SWINNEY,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 532

DEAN K. CAPELOUTO,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017;

 

G.M. No. 533

JASON T. OKUHAMA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017;

 

G.M. No. 534

WILLIAM OH,

for a term to expire 6-30-2019; and

 

G.M. No. 535

STEVEN J. SCOTT,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories and statements submitted by the nominees and finds John Whalen; Tom McLaughlin; Amy S. Luersen; Donna Camvel; Brett N. Prejean; Michael J. Golojuch, Sr.; Shirley S. Swinney; Dean K. Capelouto; Jason T. Okuhama; William Oh; and Steven J. Scott to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA).

 

JOHN WHALEN

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of John Whalen from Kaka‘ako United, Civilian Personnel Advisory Center, Wallace Theaters Management Corporation, and six individuals.

 

     Mr. Whalen is an urban and regional planner whose professional career spans more than four decades and includes substantial administrative roles in government and private practice.  Prior to forming his consulting firm, he served as Director of Land Utilization for the City and County of Honolulu.  One of Mr. Whalen's higher profile public projects was the revision of the Kaka‘ako Mauka Area Plan for HCDA in 2006.  He holds a Master of Arts in Public Law and Government and Master of Science in Urban Planning from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Pre-Architecture from Rutgers University.

 

     Mr. Whalen indicated in his personal statement that he hopes to bring his years of experience in community planning to HCDA to help guide the future of Kaka‘ako.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Whalen's past experiences with community planning, as well as his continuing commitment to issues relating to urban planning and community needs, will be great assets to HCDA.

 

TOM MCLAUGHLIN

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Tom McLaughlin from Hokua and eight individuals.

 

     Mr. McLaughlin is currently transitioning from private sector consulting work to greater community involvement and mentoring and advisory assistance to emerging Hawaii-based companies.  Previously, he served as Director of Business Development for Kualoa Ranch and Senior Partner for Ventures, LLC.  Mr. McLaughlin earned degrees in General Business Studies at Chaminade University and Business Administration Studies at the University of Hawaii.

 

     Mr. McLaughlin indicated in his personal statement that he believes that what is done in Kaka‘ako now will have profound impact on people living in the urban core of Honolulu for the next fifty to one hundred years.  Furthermore, he believes that the decisions of HCDA need to be explained better to the public, even if it means having some uncomfortable discussions.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. McLaughlin's past experiences with business development, as well as his continuing commitment to issues relating to community involvement and transparency, will be great assets to HCDA.

 

AMY S. LUERSEN

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Amy S. Luersen from the Hawaii Community Development Authority, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, and five individuals.

 

     Ms. Luersen is currently the Director of Philanthropic Services at the Hawaii Community Foundation.  There, she leads a team responsible for providing efficient and effective client services for donors, private foundation grants management services, and scholarships and funds.  In the past, Ms. Luersen was a community planning consultant, providing services for various community development organizations.  She holds a Masters of Regional Planning from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Urban Studies from Denison University.

 

     Ms. Luersen indicated in her personal statement that she supports the development of a Heeia district master plan that is developed with broad community and support.  She also indicated that she feels she can serve as a liaison between the community and planning for this critical ahupua‘a.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Luersen's past experiences with city and regional planning, as well as her continuing commitment to the mission of the Heeia district to facilitate culturally appropriate agriculture, education, and natural resource restoration and management of the Heeia wetlands, will be great assets to HCDA.

 

DONNA CAMVEL

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Donna Camvel from the Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club.

 

     Ms. Camvel is currently a doctoral candidate in the Political Science Department at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, specializing in Indigenous Politics.  Ms. Camvel has experience in community organizing and event planning for He‘e‘ia Historical Society.  She has also traveled for the past eight years to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York as a student representative for the University of Hawaii to talk about Native Hawaiian and indigenous issues.  She received a Master's degree in Hawaiian Studies and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Women's Studies and Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawaii.

 

     Ms. Camvel indicated in her personal statement that she can provide HCDA with valuable cultural expertise and community knowledge of the He‘e‘ia ahupua‘a.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Camvel's past experiences with indigenous issues, as well as her continuing commitment to natural resource management, will be great assets to HCDA.

 

BRETT N. PREJEAN

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Brett N. Prejean from Honua Consulting, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, Salem Media of Hawaii, and one individual.

 

     Mr. Prejean currently owns and operates Hawaiian Ocean Adventures, LLC, an authentic Hawaiian sailing canoe tour business at the Disney Aulani Resort.  He has also recently opened a second business location at Heeia State Park in partnership with Kama‘aina Kids.  As a means of perpetuating the Hawaiian culture, Mr. Prejean began learning the art of canoe building from master canoe builder Kirk Clarke over twenty years ago.  He currently holds a United States Coast Guard license and has logged over 26,000 blue water sailing miles.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Prejean's past experiences within the sport of canoe sailing, as well as his continuing commitment to preserving the Hawaiian culture, will be great assets to HCDA.

 

MICHAEL J. GOLOJUCH, SR.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Michael J. Golojuch, Sr., from thirty-four individuals.

 

     Mr. Golojuch recently served as Administrative Services Officer for the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services at the City and County of Honolulu.  There, he managed all human resource management actions for the Department, including training, performance evaluations, labor relations, and employee assistance.  Mr. Golojuch was previously the Labor Relations Officer for the Department of Facility Maintenance at the City and County of Honolulu and is currently an adjunct faculty for the University of Phoenix, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in business and management at the Hawaii campus and online.  He holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Hawaii, Master of Science in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from San Diego State University.

 

     Mr. Golojuch indicated in his personal statement that his background in the military, experience with the State and City and County of Honolulu, and awareness of community needs will be valuable as HCDA looks to the overall development of the Kalaeloa lands.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Golojuch's past experiences in the public sector, as well as his continuing commitment to understanding the myriad needs and considerations in the development process, will be great assets to HCDA.

 

SHIRLEY S. SWINNEY

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Shirley S. Swinney from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Hawaii Community Development Authority; PBR Hawaii & Associates, Inc.; Resort Holdings, LLC; and seven individuals.

 

     Ms. Swinney is currently the President and founder of Kapolei Community Development Corporation, which plans, designs, and implements initiatives by and for the Kapolei homestead beneficiaries.  Previously, she was a Circuit Court Clerk II at the Hawaii State Judiciary, coordinating facilities and personnel for court proceedings among other duties.  Ms. Swinney is also highly involved in several organizations throughout the community, such as the Malama Learning Center, Special Olympics Hawaii, and Ho‘opili Task Force.  She holds an Associate of Arts Degree from Leeward Community College and a Business Certificate from Honolulu Business College.

 

     Ms. Swinney indicated in her personal statement that she recognizes how the community is vital in developing Kalaeloa's cultural, economic, and social resources for a sustainable future.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Swinney's past experiences with homestead initiatives, as well as her continuing commitment to the community of Kalaeloa, will be great assets to HCDA.

 

DEAN K. CAPELOUTO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Dean K. Capelouto from Kanehili Cultural Hui and three individuals.

 

     Mr. Capelouto is currently the General Manager, Information Technology Manager, and Operations Manager for Oahu Express, Ltd., where his responsibilities range from managing day to day scheduling operations to ensuring conformity to federal and state regulations and requirements.  He is also a member of the Kapolei-Makakilo Neighborhood Board and serves as Chair of Transportation of the Board.  He holds a Master's degree in Information Systems from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Wayland Baptist University.

 

     Mr. Capelouto indicated in his personal statement that he wants to find ways to develop the area of Kalaeloa in a way that leverages public and private partnerships for the benefit of all, while being respectful of the need to preserve cultural, historic, and open spaces for future generations.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Capelouto's past managerial experience in information technology and operations, as well as his continuing commitment to transparency and open communication to foster community involvement, will be great assets to HCDA.

 

JASON T. OKUHAMA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Jason T. Okuhama from the Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development; Marcus & Associates, Inc.; Kaka‘ako United; Yamamoto Caliboso, LLLC; AOAO Century Square; and six individuals.

 

     Mr. Okuhama is currently Managing Partner for Hawaii Lending Specialists, LLC, which provides services for loan origination, sales, marketing, and underwriting.  He is also involved in many community organizations, serving as Board President for One Waterfront Towers, Board Treasurer for Century Square AOAO, and Board President for Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development.

 

     Mr. Okuhama indicated in his personal statement that he has always felt it was his civic duty to participate in and support his community, especially by utilizing his experience in the banking and lending industry.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Okuhama's past experiences with the banking and lending industry, as well as his continuing commitment to issues relating to the housing needs of middle, moderate, and lower income individuals, will be great assets to HCDA.

 

WILLIAM OH

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of William Oh from CBRE, Inc.; Hawaii Kyocharo Publishing; D&D Communications; and nine individuals.

 

     Mr. Oh is an accomplished professional with proven experience in strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and corporate valuation, and consumer finance and lending.  He is the founder of Standard Financial, Inc., where he secured an exclusive leading partnership with Hana Financial, Inc., to commence small business administration lending operations as a non-bank lender for the small business community in Hawaii.  He was also a Project Manager at SK Corporation, Inc., in Seoul, Korea.

 

     Mr. Oh indicated in his personal statement that he believes that gentrification can be done in the State that assimilates with local residents and creates opportunities for more affordable housing.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Oh's past experiences with real estate finance and mortgages, as well as his continuing commitment to address affordable housing for local residents of Hawaii, will be great assets to HCDA.

 

STEVEN J. SCOTT

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Steven J. Scott from Honolulu Emergency Services Department, City and County of Honolulu; U. Okada & Co., Ltd.; Kaka‘ako United; Hawaii Receivables Management, LLC; and eight individuals.

 

     Mr. Scott is owner, President, and Chief Executive Officer for Scott Shoe Co., Ltd., a family-owned business in central Kaka‘ako since 1955.  He has also served in community organizations, such as the Kaka‘ako Business and Landowners Association and the Kaka‘ako Improvement Association.  Mr. Scott has first-hand knowledge on the plans, infrastructure, and small business needs of the community.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Scott's past experiences in the small business community of Kaka‘ako, as well as his continuing commitment to developing a thriving small business community, will be great assets to HCDA.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Housing 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 Human Services and Housing,

 

 

 

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair