STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1794

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 798, 799, 800, 801, 802

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 798, 799, 800, 801, and 802, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority

 

G.M. No. 798

KEITH DOWNING,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022;

 

G.M. No. 799

DAVID ARAKAWA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 800

DYLAN CHING,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 801

SIGMUND ZANE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024; and

 

G.M. No. 802

SHERRY MENOR-MCNAMARA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Keith Downing, David Arakawa, Dylan Ching, Sigmund Zane, and Sherry Menor-McNamara for nomination to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 


KEITH DOWNING

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Keith Downing from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii State Energy Office; Friends of Kewalos; and five individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Downing's knowledge, experience, and desire to serve qualify him to be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority as a director at-large.  Born and raised in Honolulu, Mr. Downing is an expert waterman and respected big-wave rider.  Mr. Downing graduated with a degree in commercial art from California College of the Arts and designed logos for surf industry giants Quiksilver and O'Neill.  Currently, Mr. Downing, along with his sister, run the family-owned business, Downing Hawaii, which is also Hawaii's oldest surf shop.  Mr. Downing's long-term involvement with the non-profit group, Surfing Education Association, shows his dedication to the preservation of Hawaii's coral reefs, waves, and beaches.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Downing has served as a member of the State Board of Land and Natural Resources from 2015 to 2019.  He understands the role and responsibilities of board members and the insight he offers based on his experience will further enhance the efforts of the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  Therefore, your Committee recommends that Mr. Downing be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority based on his background, experience, and desire to serve the public.

 

DAVID ARAKAWA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of David Arakawa from the Department of Agriculture; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Office of Planning; Hawaii State Energy Office; Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Matson Navigation Company, Inc.; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust Fund; Pacific Resource Partnership; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaiian Airlines; Ponohono Ranch Limited; and twenty-eight individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Arakawa's knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service qualify him to be reappointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority as a director at-large.  Raised in Honolulu, Mr. Arakawa currently serves as Executive Director of the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, a private, nonprofit research and trade association whose members include major Hawaii landowners, developers, resort operators, and a utility company.  He graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and earned his law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law.  An attorney by trade, Mr. Arakawa has previously served as the Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary for Hawaiian Airlines.  He has been appointed to various state and local advisory committees and task forces, such as the Managing Capacity Work Group for the Hawaii Tourism Authority Strategic Plan, 2015-2020.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Arakawa has served as a member on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority since 2018, and is the current Chair of the Audit Committee, Vice Chair of the Legislative Committee, Vice Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, and member of the Administration Committee.  He has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and his extensive experience in land use, resort development, and employment and administrative law will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  Therefore, your Committee recommends that Mr. Arakawa be reappointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority based on his background, experience, and commitment to public service and his industry.

 

DYLAN CHING

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Dylan Ching from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association; and six individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Ching's knowledge, experience, and dedication to public service qualify him to be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority as a director at-large.  Raised in Hawaii, Mr. Ching is currently the Vice President of Operations for TS Restaurants on Oahu and Kauai since 2019, where he oversees the operations, financial health, personnel, and community outreach for Duke's Waikiki, Hula Grill Waikiki, Keoki's Paradise in Poipu, and Duke's Kauai.  He is also involved in a number of civic and community activities, such as the Waikiki Community Center Board, Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association Board, Tommy Holmes Foundation Board, Waikiki Business Improvement Board, Bishop Museum Association Council Board, and Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii Corporate Board.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Ching has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and his extensive experience in the service and hospitality industry will enhance the effectiveness of the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  Therefore, your Committee recommends that Mr. Ching be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority based on his background, experience, and dedication to public service.

 

SIGMUND ZANE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Sigmund Zane from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and Hawaiian Airlines.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Zane's knowledge, experience, and desire to serve qualify him to be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  Mr. Zane was raised in Honolulu and attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo.  In 1985, he and his wife opened Sig Zane Designs, a clothing store with the mission to educate and share their knowledge of Hawaiian culture.  Today, Sig Zane Designs is a globally recognized brand known for its thoughtful, hand-cut designs, and plant prints.  In addition to his experience as a small business owner, Mr. Zane is also known as a native Hawaiian cultural practitioner and artist.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Zane understands the role and responsibilities of board members and his unique knowledge in native Hawaiian values and experience in local manufacturing and retail will enhance the effectiveness of the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  Therefore, your Committee recommends that Mr. Zane be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority based on his background, experience, and desire to serve the public.

 

SHERRY MENOR-MCNAMARA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Sherry Menor-McNamara from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Matson Navigation Company, Inc.; Diamond Bakery Co., Ltd.; Holomua Consulting Group LLC; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce; Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association; Kauai Filipino Chamber of Commerce; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaiian Airlines; Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce; Kauai Chamber of Commerce; and five individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Menor-McNamara's knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service qualify her to be reappointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  Ms. Menor-McNamara earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Hawaii, William S. Richardson School of Law; a Master's degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa; a Master's degree in public administration and policy from the University of Southern California; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles.  She also earned a certificate from the Harvard Kennedy School's Executive Education Program.  Since 2013, Ms. Menor-McNamara has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.  Ms. Menor-McNamara is also an active member in various professional and community organizations, including the Board of Trustees for Queen's Health Systems, Board of Directors for Girls Scouts Hawaii, and Board of Directors of the FILCom Center.  Your Committee further notes that she has served on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority since 2017.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Menor McNamara has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and her extensive experience will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  Therefore, your Committee recommends that Ms. Menor-McNamara be reappointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority based on her background, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism 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 Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

 

 

 

____________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair