STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3619

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 538, 621, 622

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 538, 621, and 622, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Directors of the Hawai'i Housing Finance and Development Corporation

 

G.M. No. 538

MILO SPINDT,

for a term to expire 06-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 621

AUDREY ABE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020; and

 

G.M. No. 622

LEILANI PULMANO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Milo Spindt, Audrey Abe, and Leilani Pulmano to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

 

MILO SPINDT

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Milo Spindt from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Kauai County Housing Agency; Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr.; and Representative Derek Kawakami.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Spindt is presently a private Real Estate Broker and Property Manager, Firefighter for the Kauai Fire Department, and part-time Emergency Medical Technician – Basic for American Medical Response Hawaii.  He also has previous work experience as a Kauai District Land Agent for the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Founder and President of Housing For All, Inc.  Mr. Spindt has demonstrated his willingness to serve the public through his past involvement in the Spokane Association of REALTORS, Nevada Association of REALTORS, Reno-Sparks Association of REALTORS, and Kauai Board of REALTORS, and is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation as an Interim Member.  In his personal statement, Mr. Spindt indicated that his past work experience in the private sector and state government have given him a unique insight into the market demands for affordable housing and the complex issues involved in developing and subsidizing housing projects.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Spindt's background in real estate, as well as his dedication to public service, will continue to be great assets to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

 

AUDREY ABE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for reappointment of Audrey Abe from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Abe is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified General Appraiser, Owner of ABE APPRAISALS LLC, and President of S&L Global Inc.  Her professional work experience includes working with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Hawaii Government Employees Association, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Veterans Administration offices in Hawaii, Hawaii Housing Authority, and the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Housing and Community Development.  Ms. Abe is active in the community as she currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and has served as a Board Member on the Board of Taxation Review.  Ms. Abe indicated in her personal statement that she is concerned about the high cost of real estate and lack of affordable homes and understands the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's role of overseeing affordable housing and elderly housing development in the State.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Abe's professional background as a real estate appraiser and public accountant, as well as her willingness to serve, will continue to be great assets to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

 

LEILANI PULMANO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for reappointment of Leilani Pulmano from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Pulmano is presently a Project Manager at Munekiyo and Hiraga, Inc., and has extensive land use planning, community design, permitting experience, and business experience, having worked as a Development Coordinator for Maui Land and Pineapple Company, Inc., and Manager for Hyatt Hotels and Resorts.  Ms. Pulmano is presently the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and has served on the Board since 2012.  In her personal statement, Ms. Pulmano indicated that her past work experience allows her to understand the challenging development and financing processes that developers go through in order to produce affordable housing in Hawaii.  She also noted that she hopes the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation will examine policies to help working families move into homeownership, freeing up existing rental units.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Pulmano's proven leadership in revising the Qualified Allocation Plan in a timely manner, as well as her experience in project management, planning, and mixed-use community design and permitting, will continue to be great assets to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

BREENE HARIMOTO, Chair