STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1825

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 293

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 293, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Board of Directors of the Aloha Tower Development Corporation

 

G.M. No. 293

NEAL MASAHIRO OTANI,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee, and finds Neal Masahiro Otani to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Aloha Tower Development Corporation.

 

     Testimony in support of Neal Masahiro Otani's nomination was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; the Aloha Tower Development Corporation; Horizon Lines, LLC; and six individuals.

 

     Mr. Otani received his Bachelor of Education in Health and Physical Education from the University of Hawaii.  He is currently the President and General Manager of Y. Fukunaga Products, Ltd., which is a family-owned and operated business since 1945.  His family business has operated in the Kakaako and Ward business districts for fifty years and is now located at the Kapalama Military Reservation.  During these years, he has seen the growth and redevelopment of the lands surrounding the Aloha Tower Complex and believes that development is necessary to increase the economic viability of the Aloha Tower area, but development should be done in a manner that is sensitive to the needs and requirements of the residents of and businesses in the area.

 

     Mr. Otani began serving on the Board of Directors in July 2005, and will complete a partial term of a previous board member on June 30, 2007.  He is an active participant who has exhibited a strong commitment to serve on the Board.  As an owner of an established local business that interfaces with many local businesses, he has an understanding of the local economy and has close interaction with the commercial harbor and airport industries in Hawaii.  Mr. Otani's knowledge of the waterfront, his contacts, and his practical approach are invaluable assets for the Board of Directors of Aloha Tower Development Corporation.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair