STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1164

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 539

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 539, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Deputy Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services

 

G.M. No. 539

AUDREY HIDANO,

for a term to expire 12-3-2018,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal statement, resume, and work experiences of the nominee and finds Audrey Hidano to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated as the Deputy Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Audrey Hidano from Governor David Y. Ige; Department of Budget and Finance; Department of Health; Department of Taxation; Department of Transportation; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; State Procurement Office; University of Hawaii System; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Office of Information Management and Technology; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Wage Standards Division; Stadium Authority; Hawaii Procurement Institute; Hawaii Medical Service Association; General Contractors Association of Hawaii; Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Building Industry Association Hawaii; Hawaii Construction Alliance; Subcontractors Association of Hawaii; Royal Contracting Co., Ltd.; American Piping & Boiler Co.; Koga Engineering & Construction, Inc.; Ralph S. Inouye Co., Ltd.; CO-HA Builders, Inc.; Sen Plex Corp.; Graham Builders; RMA Sales; Alan Shintani, Inc.; and sixteen individuals.

 

     Audrey Hidano currently serves as Deputy Director of the Department of Transportation.  From 2010 to 2013, she served as Deputy Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, a position she also held from 2000 to 2002.  Ms. Hidano also has a career in the private sector as a co-founder of Hidano Construction, Inc., in 1974.  She continues to serve as the secretary and treasurer of Hidano Construction, Inc., and is also the co-owner of Rim-Pac, Inc., and vice-president and secretary of Grand Development, Inc.  The nominee has acquired a range of expertise in the areas of personnel management, payroll, accounting, human resources management, and contract management over the course of her career in the construction and development industry.  Ms. Hidano currently serves as an employer trustee with the Hawaii Employer-Union Benefits Trust Fund, was the president of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii in 1999 and 2000, and served a five-month appointment on the Honolulu City Council in 1994.  The nominee also has extensive community ties, having served as a board member of the City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Board #12 since 1989 and serving as a current board member of the Nuuanu YMCA. 

 

     Your Committee believes that the nominee possesses the qualifications to serve as the Deputy Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services.  Ms. Hidano's background in the private and public sectors arm her with a wealth of experience to craft innovative solutions for the Department.  Her experience in construction gives her a deep understanding of the industry and a wealth of industry contacts, which will be invaluable to her as she contributes to the leadership of a department charged with overseeing numerous state construction contracts.  Testifiers commented on Ms. Hidano's sound judgment, dedication, honesty, and solid work ethic.  She is also noted as being tough but fair, forward thinking, and a good leader.  These qualities will serve the nominee well as she works with personnel to make positive change within the Department.

 

     Your Committee notes from the nominee's personal statement that she is fluent in construction contracting and is eager to apply that knowledge to her work with the Department.  Her goal is to increase efficiency and improve systems to keep pace with the private sector.  Ms. Hidano sees technology as the key to modernizing the Department and freeing personnel to devote their skills to the Department's mission rather than to administrative tasks.  Training is another priority for Ms. Hidano who looks to professional development within the Department as a means for personnel retention and supplying high quality services to the State.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations 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 Government Operations,

 

 

 

____________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair