STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3849

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 606, 607, 682

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 606, 607, and 682, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation

G.M. No. 606	DAVID HINAZUMI for a term to expire 06-30-2028;
G.M. No. 607	JAYSON WATTS for a term to expire 06-30-2029; and
G.M. No. 682	JOSHUA UYEHARA for a term to expire 06-30-2030,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by David Hinazumi, Jayson Watts, and Joshua Uyehara for service on the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

DAVID HINAZUMI

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of David Hinazumi from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Mayor of the County of Kauaʻi; Kekaha Agriculture Association; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; and four individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Hinazumi's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify him for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation as a member representing the County of Kauai. Your Committee notes that Mr. Hinazumi has over twenty years of experience in urban development and agricultural land management, gained through his various positions at Grove Farm Company, Incorporated. In his current position as its Senior Vice President, he supervises agricultural land leasing, infrastructure maintenance, water systems, long-range strategic planning, and financial risk management, supporting the company's long-term operations and planning. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Hinazumi has extensive legal expertise developed through his previous experience as a Deputy Public Defender in the state of Colorado's Office of the Public Defender. Mr. Hinazumi is also an active member in his community and is a member of the Kauai Chamber of Commerce and Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Hinazumi has been serving as an interim member of the Board since 2025 and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members. Your Committee therefore recommends that David Hinazumi be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

JAYSON WATTS

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Jayson Watts from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Transportation; Department of Education; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Kekaha Agriculture Association; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Ulupono Initiative; Retail Merchants of Hawaii; Venture Physical Therapy LLC; Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Imanaka Asato, a Limited Liability Law Company; Maui County Farm Bureau; Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines; Aloun Farms, Inc.; Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Hilo County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaiian Council; Hawaiʻi Pacific Export Council; Mana Up; Pae ʻĀina Communications; Hawaii Foodservice Alliance LLC; two members of the Maui County Council; one member of the Honolulu City Council; and thirty-eight individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Watts' experience, knowledge, and proven leadership on the Board qualify him for reappointment to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation as a member representing the County of Maui. Your Committee notes that Mr. Watts has seven years of private sector leadership experience in regulatory compliance, risk management, and environmental stewardship as the Director of Environmental Health and Safety at Mahi Pono, LLC, a forty-one thousand-acre diversified agricultural operation on Maui, with over six hundred employees. In addition to his private sector experience, Mr. Watts has significant public policy experience, gained through his previous service with the Office of the Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Watts has served on the Board since 2023 and currently serves as its Chairperson. Testifiers stated that under Mr. Watts' leadership, the Board has strengthened transparency and alignment with the Agribusiness Development Corporation's statutory responsibilities through effective governance achieved by informed engagement of the full Board. Your Committee finds that Mr. Watts' experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Board of Directors. Your Committee therefore recommends that Jayson Watts be reappointed to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

JOSHUA UYEHARA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Joshua Uyehara from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Transportation; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Mayor of the County of Kauaʻi; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hilo County Farm Bureau; Aloun Farm, Inc.; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Larry Jefts Farm, LLC; and six individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Uyehara's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation as a member at large. Your Committee notes that Mr. Uyehara has been an agricultural executive since 2012 and currently works as a Principal at UI Hawaii Consulting LLC, advising clients on policy, land, water, and community matters statewide. Mr. Uyehara is a fourth-generation farmer with deep roots in Kekaha, Kauai, including his previous services as a Vice President and General Manager of Hawaii Operations at Hartung Brothers Inc. and the Hawaii Continuous Nursery Site Manager at Syngenta. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Uyehara is an active member in his profession, and has served as President of the Kekaha Agriculture Association for ten years, leading the Board of Directors in organizational strategy and stakeholder engagement efforts. Your Committee finds that Mr. Uyehara has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and his extensive experience in agricultural management will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Joshua Uyehara be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

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

____________________________

LYNN DECOITE, Chair