STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3079

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 593

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 593, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Deputy to the Chairperson, Department of Agriculture

 

G.M. No. 593

DEXTER KISHIDA,

for a term to expire 12-31-2026,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Dexter Kishida for service as the Deputy to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Dexter Kishida from the Governor; Department of Agriculture; Department of Accounting and General Services; Department of Budget and Finance; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; Department of Defense; Department of Education; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Department of Health; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Law Enforcement; Department of Taxation; Department of Transportation; Agribusiness Development Corporation; County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development; County of Kauai Office of Economic Development; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Ulupono Initiative; Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation; Malama Kauai; Hawaii Tea Society; C & C Tropicals; Maui Epicure LLC; Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers; North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership; Kekaha Agriculture Association; Pacific American Foundation; Feed the Hunger Fund; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Hawaii Good Food Alliance; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Ka ʻOhana O Na Pua; Kona Coffee Farmers Association; Kauai Chamber of Commerce; Kauai Economic Development Board, Inc.; Hawaii Ant Lab; Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council; Rancho Aloha; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; Commercial and Business Lending; Hawaiʻi Investment Ready; Nuestro Futuro, Inc.; Slow Money Hawaiʻi; and fifty-one individuals.

 

     With nearly fifteen years' experience, Mr. Kishida's background in food security and sustainability, systematic planning and program development, and government relations has provided him with a wealth of knowledge and relationships in the local agriculture industry in the State.  Mr. Kishida has been serving as the Acting Deputy to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture over the past seven months.  Mr. Kishida initially joined the Department of Agriculture in July 2023 as the Plant Industry Administrator and was nominated to serve as the Deputy to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture in September 2023.  Prior to that, Mr. Kishida was the inaugural Food Security and Sustainability Program Manager for the City and County of Honolulu, where he secured over $30,000,000 in federal, state, city, and private capital in 2.5 years.  Mr. Kishida has also served as a Farm to School Coordinator and School Food Services Supervisor for the Department of Education for eight years and as a School Food Coordinator of Kokua Hawaii Foundation from 2009 to 2012. 

 

     As evidenced by the unanimous supportive testimony submitted on his behalf, Mr. Kishida is well-respected and liked.  Testimony in support of his nomination indicates that he has a proven track record of being a proactive collaborator and effective problem solver with multiple levels of government and across private, public, and non-profit sectors.  Testifiers who have worked closely with Mr. Kishida commented on his impressive reputation, work ethic, and understanding of the various intricacies of and issues for farm and food operations in the State.

 

     Mr. Kishida's passion for and commitment to fostering a robust agriculture industry, including developing an innovative aquaculture sector, increasing biosecurity, and reducing agricultural crimes, and to improving the quality of life for the people of Hawaii make Dexter Kishida well-suited to serve as the Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment 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 Agriculture and Environment,

 

 

 

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair