STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1989

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     GOV. MSG. NO. 541

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 541, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority

 

G.M. No. 541

JOHN KOMEIJI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2025 (role amended to Chairperson by G.M. No. 609),

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by John Komeiji for service as the Chairperson of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Mr. Komeiji from the Hawaiian Civic Club of Hilo; Matson Navigation Company, Inc.; Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope Corporation; and twelve individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Mr. Komeiji from one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Komeiji's background, experience, and dedication to community service qualify him to be appointed as Chairperson of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority.  Mr. Komeiji was selected to represent the Authority as an individual with business and finance experience who has previous administrative experience in managing a large private-sector business and was concurrently nominated to serve as the interim Chairperson by former Governor David Ige.  Prior to leading the Authority, Mr. Komeiji held the highly esteemed position of General Counsel and Vice President of the Kamehameha Schools.  Mr. Komeiji also previously served as the President and General Manager of the local communications services giant, Hawaiian Telcom, following its acquisition by Cincinnati Bell in 2018.  Before obtaining the top leadership role, Mr. Komeiji served as the Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel of Hawaiian Telcom for over a decade.  Further, prior to his transition to in-house counsel, Mr. Komeiji served as a named partner at the prominent local law firm, Watanabe Ing LLP (formerly known as Watanabe Ing and Komeiji LLP).

 

     Mr. Komeiji is also active in the community and has served on numerous for-profit and nonprofit boards.  Mr. Komeiji currently serves on the board of The 200 Club, an organization comprising two hundred businesses and community leaders who support the Honolulu Police Department and Honolulu Fire Department.  He also serves as Assistant Treasurer of the University of Hawaii Alumni Association.  Mr. Komeiji additionally is the former president of the Hawaii State Bar Association.  Mr. Komeiji earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of California Hastings College of Law and his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Komeiji, with his demonstrated ability to lead and oversee large scale private-sector businesses and nonprofit organizations, possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as the Chairperson of the Authority.  Mr. Komeiji is a proven and trustworthy leader who is capable of executing boardroom-level strategic plans and carrying out an organization's vision, mission, and purpose.  Mr. Komeiji received near-unanimous support from testifiers, many of whom praised his integrity, leadership, and commitment to solving problems in the "Hawaii way".  Your Committee also believes that Mr. Komeiji's background in mediation will serve him well, as he moves the Authority forward and engages with the community to resolve the many complex issues surrounding Mauna Kea.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Komeiji has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of the Chairperson of the Authority and therefore recommends that John Komeiji be appointed as Chairperson of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land 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 and Land,

 

 

 

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair