STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2242

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 743, 744, 745, 746, 747, 748, 749, 750

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 743, 744, 745, 746, 747, 748, 749, and 750, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Directors of the Hawai'i Public Housing Authority

 

G.M. No. 743

TODD TANIGUCHI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 744

ROY KATSUDA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022;

 

G.M. No. 745

PONO SHIM,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 746

BETTY LARSON,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 747

MILO SPINDT,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022;

 

G.M. No. 748

SUSAN KUNZ,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 749

SUSAN KUNZ,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023; and

 

G.M. No. 750

ROBERT HALL,

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 Todd Taniguchi, Roy Katsuda, Pono Shim, Betty Larson, Milo Spindt, Susan Kunz, and Robert Hall for service on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

 

TODD TANIGUCHI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Todd Taniguchi from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Taniguchi's background, experience, and dedication to the development of housing in the State qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Taniguchi is responsible for product strategy and business development at Greentech Infrastructure Partners and has extensive experience managing global real estate at Jones Lang Lasalle.  According to testimony, Mr. Taniguchi is diligent, thoughtful, empathetic, hardworking, and kind and has a demonstrated track record of professionalism.  Your Committee believes that Mr. Taniguchi's extensive experience in construction, energy efficiency, and mixed-use development make him a great asset to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and recommends that Mr. Taniguchi be appointed to the Board of Directors.

 

ROY KATSUDA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Roy Katsuda from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Katsuda's background in real estate development and property management qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.  Mr. Katsuda was the Executive Director of Hale Mahaolu for 35 years, where he oversaw the management of nearly 1,100 rental units for elderly and low-income residents in Maui County.  Mr. Katsuda is active in the community, having served on a number of boards such as the Hawaii Community Reinvestment Corporation, Hawaii HomeOwnership Center, and Kauai Housing Development Corporation.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Katsuda will be instrumental to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority due to his proven experience with managing elderly and low-income housing in Maui County and recommends that he be appointed to the Board of Directors.

 

PONO SHIM

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Pono Shim from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii Public Housing Authority; University of Hawaii System; Office of Youth Services; Hoomanapono Political Action Committee; Oceanit; The Queen's Health Systems; Ulupono Initiative; Parents and Children Together; ChangeWorks, LLC; Lanakila Pacific; Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights; Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations; one member of the Honolulu City Council; and forty-three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Shim's years of experience in economic development of low-income communities in the State, dedication to community service, and knowledge of pertinent law qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Shim has been the Executive Director of the Oahu Economic Development Board since 2009 and has worked in partnership with private and public organizations to support a healthy economy and workforce in the State.  Mr. Shim is also currently the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, where he gained an intimate understanding of the operations of the Hawaii Housing Public Authority.  Your Committee believes that Mr. Shim will continue to be a great asset to the Board with his proven leadership and experience and recommends that he be reappointed to the Board of Directors.

 

BETTY LARSON

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Betty Larson from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Lanakila Pacific, and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Larson's background, experience, and dedication to the community qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Larson has nearly 38 years of experience working at Catholic Charities Hawaii where she worked closely with individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and homeless families and individuals, particularly in regard to affordable housing.  Ms. Larson is well-versed in affordable housing and homelessness issues, having previously served as a Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii board member.  Your Committee believes that Ms. Larson's extensive knowledge of affordable housing and her dedication to vulnerable populations will make her a great asset to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and recommends that she be appointed to the Board of Directors.

 

MILO SPINDT

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Milo Spindt from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, one member of the Kauai County Council, and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Spindt's experience in the development of affordable housing and real estate and his dedication to public service qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Spindt is the Executive Director of the Kauai Housing Development Corporation, a nonprofit affordable housing developer with five multifamily residential properties.  Mr. Spindt is also the Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and was previously a Kauai District Land Agent for the Department of Land and Natural Resources.  Your Committee believes that Mr. Spindt will play an important role in the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority due to his extensive experience with housing issues in the State and expertise in real estate, and recommends that he be appointed to the Board of Directors.

 

SUSAN KUNZ

 

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment or reappointment of Susan Kunz from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority; HOPE Services Hawaii; Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation; Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island, Inc.; and five individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Kunz's experience managing affordable multi-family and senior housing properties and years of public service relating to housing development qualify her to be nominated for appointment and reappointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Kunz is the Executive Director of the Big Island Housing Foundation, where she oversees the management of 251 units of affordable housing properties.  Ms. Kunz has over 10 years of experience working for the Office of Housing and Community Development for the County of Hawaii and gained extensive knowledge of housing issues in the County of Hawaii.  Your Committee believes that Ms. Kunz's expertise in housing development in the County of Hawaii will provide the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority a unique perspective and recommends that she be appointed and reappointed to the Board of Directors.

 

ROBERT HALL

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Robert Hall from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Mutual Housing Association of Hawaii; Kevin's Electric, Inc.; Pacific American Foundation; Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteaders Association, Inc.; Palolo Tenants Association; Laiopua 2020; Lānai Community Health Center; and six individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Hall's experience in the delivery and oversight of affordable housing, years of experience in the private and public sectors, and dedication to public service qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Hall has over 30 years of experience working for the State where he continued to gain pertinent knowledge and experience of housing.  In his capacity as the former Deputy Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Mr. Hall refocused the Department to assess, amend, and establish administrative rules to properly address and guide the Department's policies, procedures, and programs.  Mr. Hall also was the Acting Executive Director of the former Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii.  Your Committee believes that Mr. Hall's extensive experience in various positions in state housing agencies will make him a great asset to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and recommends that he be appointed to the Board of Directors.

 

     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,

 

 

 

____________________________

STANLEY CHANG, Chair