STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1917

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 521, 610, 699

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 521, 610, and 699, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HFD)

 

G.M. No. 521

CHARLES P. WATHEN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2008;

 

G.M. No. 610

ALLAN LOS BANOS, JR.,

for a term to expire 6-30-2010; and

 

G.M. No. 699

RICHARD TOLEDO, JR.,

for a term to expire 6-30-2009,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Upon review of the personal history submitted by the nominee, Charles P. Wathen, your Committee finds that Mr. Wathen is the president of Wathen & Associates Limited, a Honolulu and Denver based consulting and development firm.  Mr. Wathen is also the president of Pier Management Hawaii LLC, which manages apartment units in the State. 

 

     Mr. Wathen has previously organized housing conferences for the Urban Land Institute and has participated in several housing task forces and advisory committees.  He is currently a member of the Urban Land Institute, as well as a member of Housing Hawaii, a non-profit housing coalition. 

 

     Testimony in support of Mr. Wathen was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism; the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Catholic Charities of Hawaii; and two individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Wathen is an advocate for affordable housing and will serve as an asset to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

 

     Upon reviewing the personal history provided by the nominee, Allan Los Banos, Jr., your Committee finds that Mr. Los Banos is currently a safety coordinator and program specialist with the Hawaii Masons & Plasterers Training Program.  Mr. Los Banos is also an instructor at Honolulu Community College and with Hawaii Electricians Training.  Mr. Los Banos is active in numerous professional and community organizations.  He has also been awarded various accolades for his leadership and community service.

 

     Mr. Los Banos has also served as a member of the Hawaii Community Development Authority Board the Housing and Community Development Corporation. 

 

     Testimony in support of Mr. Los Banos' nomination was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism; the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; the Building Industry Association of Hawaii; Cement Concrete Products Industry of Hawaii; the Hawaii Building & Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO; and the Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust Fund.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Los Banos' experiences will provide a unique perspective to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

 

     Upon reviewing the personal history submitted by the nominee, Richard Toledo, Jr., your Committee finds that Mr. Toledo is the owner and operator of Equity Financial Group, a mortgage brokerage firm.  Mr. Toledo has also served as a mortgage broker with several other companies and was part-owner and manager of K.K. Ranch, Inc.; a cattle ranch on the island of Hawaii.

 

     Testimony in support of Mr. Toledo was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism and the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Toledo's professional experience as a mortgage broker and as a manager will make him a key component of 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 Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable 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 Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing,

 

 

 

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair