STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1202

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 578

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 578, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

 

Deputy Director of the Department of Transportation

 

G.M. No. 578

LYNN A.S. ARAKI-REGAN,

for a term to expire at noon on 12-05-2022,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Lynn A.S. Araki-Regan for service as the Deputy Director of Transportation.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Lynn A.S. Araki-Regan from the Office of the Governor; Department of Human Resources Development; Department of Labor and Industrial Resources; Department of Budget and Finance; Department of Agriculture; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Department of Public Safety; Department of Accounting and General Services; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism;  Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Office of Enterprise Technology Services; Board of Water Supply; Maui Emergency Management Agency; Pacific Marine and Supply, Co.; Matson; L&L Franchise, Inc.; Hawaii Gas; Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; and twenty individuals.

 

     Upon Review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Lynn A.S. Araki-Regan's background, experience, and commitment to public service qualify her for appointment as the Deputy Director of Transportation.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Araki-Regan has six years of experience working in public service in the County of Maui serving in various positions.  Ms. Araki-Regan began her career in public service as an Economic Development Coordinator for the County of Maui from 2003 to 2006, where she directed economic development initiatives to achieve the goals and objectives of the County of Maui.  Ms. Araki-Regan then left public service to practice law in private practice and currently has 22 years of experience in litigation, commercial transactions, creditor's rights, and landlord and tenant law.

 

     Ms. Araki-Regan returned to public service in 2016, serving as the Budget Director of the County of Maui, where she administered, prepared, and maintained the entire County of Maui's budget of over $700,000,000.  She was then promoted to Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Maui where she oversaw communications, the budget, community development block grant program, and Office of Economic Development programs.  Through her experience working in the government sector, as well as over two decades of working in the private sector, Ms. Araki-Regan has gained invaluable experiences in a variety of areas, such as overseeing and managing operations, budgeting, public relations, strategic planning, other skills necessary to be the Deputy Director of Transportation.

 

     In her personal statement, Ms. Araki-Regan stated that if given the opportunity to continue her passion for public service as the Deputy Director of Transportation, one of her primary objectives is to utilize her extensive background to help the Department of Transportation become more productive, efficient, and responsive.  She hopes to establish or amend position classifications, improve recruitment and retention efforts, and improve overall employee morale by implementing a range of staff recognition initiatives.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Araki-Regan will also act as a representative of the neighbor islands and provide a new perspective to the pressing issues of the State.

 

     Your Committee believes that Ms. Araki-Regan's dedication to public service, years of experience in public and private practice, and passion to improve the Department of Transportation qualify her to be appointed as the Deputy Director of Transportation.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair