STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3417

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 601, 694, 695, 696, 697,

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Tourism, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 601, 694, 695, 696 and 697, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority

 

G.M. No. 601

L. RICHARD FRIED, JR.,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 694

ROBERT HERKES,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 695

RANDOLPH PERREIRA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 696

DONNA DOMINGO,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018; and

 

G.M. No. 697

DENISE YAMAGUCHI,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018.

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds L. Richard Fried, Jr., Robert Herkes, Randolph Perreira, Donna Domingo, and Denise Yamaguchi to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

L. RICHARD FRIED, JR.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of L. Richard Fried, Jr., from three individuals.

 

     Mr. Fried received Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Arizona. 

 

Mr. Fried is a founding member of the law firm of Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina, and Fairbanks.  Mr. Fried has a national reputation in the fields of medical malpractice and aviation law.  His honors and awards include the International Biographical Centre Advisory Council, as well as inclusion in Best Lawyers in America and Who's Who in American Law.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Fried has been an active participant and contributor on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority during his interim appointment.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Fried's legal background, experience, and dedication qualify him for reappointment to the Board of Directors.

 

ROBERT HERKES

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Robert Herkes from the Outrigger Enterprises Group, Pacific Marketing Corporation, 1,978 "Conventional People", and seven individuals.

 

     Mr. Herkes attended Cornell University and City College of San Francisco, graduating from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration with honors.  He received an Associate of Arts degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management from the City College of San Francisco.

 

     Mr. Herkes has been involved with the hospitality industry and hotel management for over forty years.  Prior to his retirement in 2000, Mr. Herkes served as Vice President of Kamehameha Investment Corporation.  Mr. Herkes has management experience with several hotels and restaurants, including the Kona Surf, Herks Tavern, and Kauai Inn.

 

     Mr. Herkes' political experience includes serving as a member of the Hawaii State Senate and House of Representatives.  Additionally, Mr. Herkes served as Chair of the Hawaii Hotel Association.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Herkes is a dedicated, knowledgeable, and experienced individual who will serve Hawaii well by providing direction and support to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

RANDOLPH PERREIRA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Randolph Perreira from ILWU Local 142; AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; Hawaii State AFL-CIO; The Mestizo Association; and three individuals.

 

     Mr. Perreira received a Master of Business Administration degree in Personnel Administration from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management from the University of Notre Dame.

 

     Mr. Perreira currently serves as the Executive Director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association.  Mr. Perreira also serves as the President of Hawaii State AFL-CIO and Trustee of The Queen's Health Systems.  Additionally, Mr. Perreira is a member of the Aloha United Way Board of Directors, P-20 Council for the State of Hawaii, American Judicature Society (Hawaii) Board of Directors, Industrial Relations Research Association Board, Hawaii Medical Services Association Board, and Bishop Museum Board of Directors.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Perreira's education, experience, and background qualify him for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

DONNA DOMINGO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Donna Domingo from the Hawaii Government Employees Association; AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; ILWU Local 142; Hawaii State AFL-CIO; Kaanapali Beach Hotel; and one individual.

 

     Ms. Domingo attended Maui Community College.  Since 2012, Ms. Domingo has served as the President of ILWU Local 142, a labor union with 18,000 members statewide who work primarily in the tourism industry.  Prior to this position, she served as the Vice President of ILWU Local 142.  Ms. Domingo also has experience working for the Aston Maui Lu Resort.

 

     Ms. Domingo served as the Commissioner of the Maui Planning Commission from 2008 to 2013.  Additionally, Ms. Domingo has served on the boards of the Liquor Adjudication Board in Maui, Pacific Century Fellow Program, and Aloha United Way.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Domingo has an impressive work ethic, strong sense of integrity, and a fresh perspective that will contribute to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

DENISE YAMAGUCHI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Denise Yamaguchi from Hawaiian Airlines, Inc.; Young Brothers, Limited; Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association; The Modern Honolulu; Pacific Guardian Life; Humboldt Bay Energy, LLC; Maui County Farm Bureau; Sunn Media, LLC; and several individuals.

 

     Ms. Yamaguchi received a Master of Business Administration degree in Marketing from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Finance from Santa Clara University.

 

     Ms. Yamaguchi currently serves as the Executive Director of the Hawaii Ag and Culinary Alliance.  Over the past four years, Ms. Yamaguchi worked with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and major visitor industry partners on Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii to create and develop the State's premier epicurean event, the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival.  Prior to this position, Ms. Yamaguchi served as the Executive Director of the Hawaii Agricultural Foundation.

 

     Throughout her career, Ms. Yamaguchi has gained experience working as a tourism executive with several visitor industry-related companies.  Ms. Yamaguchi enjoys giving back to the community by volunteering with Aloha Festivals, Fiftieth Anniversary of Statehood Commission, Girl Scouts Council of Hawaii, Hawaii Women's Political Caucus, and Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Yamaguchi will be a valuable asset and contributor to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

GILBERT KAHELE, Chair