STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3823
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 503, 504, 512, 626, 628, 630, 631
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Labor and Technology, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 503, 504, 512, 626, 628, 630, and 631, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:
Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Council
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G.M. No. 503 |
DOUGLAS CHANG for a term to expire 06-30-2030; |
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G.M. No. 504 |
GEORGE DENISE for a term to expire 06-30-2030; |
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G.M. No. 512 |
JASON BENN for a term to expire 06-30-2030; |
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G.M. No. 626 |
SEAN NAKAMURA for a term to expire 06-30-2027; |
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G.M. No. 628 |
RONA FUKUMOTO for a term to expire 06-30-2029; |
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G.M. No. 630 |
CARY MIYASHIRO for a term to expire 06-30-2029; and |
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G.M. No. 631 |
KEITH DEMELLO for a term to expire 06-30-2029, |
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Douglas Chang, George Denise, Jason Benn, Sean Nakamura, Rona Fukumoto, Cary Miyashiro, and Keith DeMello, for service on the Hawaii Workforce Development Council.
DOUGLAS CHANG
Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Douglas Chang from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Workforce Development Council, Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association, American Hotel and Lodging Association, Hawaiʻi Hotel Alliance, and four individuals.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Chang's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be appointed to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council as a private sector member. Your Committee notes that Mr. Chang has been a luxury hospitality executive since 2001 and currently works as General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay. Previously, Mr. Chang was a General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Chang is an active member in his profession, and serves as the Workforce Development Committee Chair for the Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association and with the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association as a Founding Board Member and Past President. Your Committee finds that Mr. Chang has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and his extensive experience in luxury hospitality will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Workforce Development Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Douglas Chang be appointed to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.
GEORGE DENISE
Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of George Denise from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Department of Education; Workforce Development Council; General Contractors Association of Hawaii; Ralph S. Inouye Co, LTD; Royal Contracting Co., LTD; and two individuals.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Denise's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be appointed to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council as a private sector member. Your Committee notes that Mr. Denise has been involved in multinational real estate, construction, and project management environments for more than twenty-five years and currently works as Director of Project Management at Turner and Townsend Project Management Group. Previously, Mr. Denise was a Project Executive at Swinerton Builders. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Denise is an active member in his community and profession, and volunteers with Sleep in Heavenly Peace as their Chapter President and serves as the General Contractors Association's Workforce Development Committee Chair. Your Committee finds that Mr. Denise has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and his extensive experience in multinational real estate, construction, and project management environments will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Workforce Development Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that George Denise be appointed to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.
JASON BENN
Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jason Benn from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Workforce Development Council; Pacxa; Parker Ranch, Inc.; Hawaiian Electric; Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.; and three individuals.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Benn's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be appointed to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council as a private sector member. Your Committee notes that Mr. Benn has been a leader in enterprise transformation, technology strategy, and organizational performance for more than twenty-eight years and currently works as Senior Vice President and Chief Transformation and Administrative Officer at Hawaiian Electric. Previously, Mr. Benn was a Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President at Hawaiian Electric. Your Committee finds that Mr. Benn has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and his extensive experience in the leadership of enterprise transformation, technology strategy, and organizational performance will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Workforce Development Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Jason Benn be appointed to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.
SEAN NAKAMURA
Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Sean Nakamura from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Workforce Development Council, Pacxa, and one individual.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Nakamura's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be appointed to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council as a private sector member. Your Committee notes that Mr. Nakamura has been a financial leader and strategic planner since 2019 and currently works as Assistant Vice President, Corporate Controller, and Treasurer at Tradewind Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries. Previously, Mr. Nakamura was an Assistant Vice President, Assistant Corporate Controller, and Director of the Securities and Exchange Commission Reporting and Compliance at Barnwell Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Nakamura is an active member in his community, and volunteers with HAPA Young Leaders, Lanakila Pacific, Parents and Children Together, and the Association of Governmental Accountants. Your Committee finds that Mr. Nakamura has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and his extensive experience in financial leadership and strategic planning will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Workforce Development Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Sean Nakamura be appointed to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.
RONA FUKUMOTO
Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Rona Fukumoto from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Workforce Development Council; Hawaii State AFL-CIO; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; Hawaii Ports Maritime Council, Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO; Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans AFL-CIO; Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center; Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi; and three individuals.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Fukumoto's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be reappointed to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council as a private sector member. Your Committee notes that Ms. Fukumoto has been a social service leader since 1995 and currently works as President and Chief Executive Officer of Lanakila Pacific. Previously, Ms. Fukumoto was Vice President of Programs and Mission Advancement at Lanakila Pacific. Your Committee further notes that Ms. Fukumoto has served on the Hawaii Workforce Development Council from 2022 to the present, where she serves as the Vice Chair of the Sector Strategies and Career Pathways Committee. Your Committee finds that Ms. Fukumoto's experience and knowledge will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Workforce Development Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Rona Fukumoto be reappointed to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.
CARY MIYASHIRO
Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Cary Miyashiro from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Department of Education, Workforce Development Council, McKinley Community School for Adults, Workforce Transition Center, and five individuals.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Miyashiro's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be reappointed to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council as a private sector member. Your Committee notes that Mr. Miyashiro has over three decades of experience working with the educational community, including prior service on the Department of education Committee on weights and various School Community Councils. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Miyashiro has served on the Hawaii Workforce Development Council from 2022 to the present, where he serves as the Sector Strategies and Career Pathways Committee Chair and the Career Technical Education Coordinating Advisory Council Chair. Your Committee finds that Mr. Miyashiro's experience and knowledge will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Workforce Development Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Cary Miyashiro be reappointed to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.
KEITH DEMELLO
Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Keith DeMello from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Workforce Development Council, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi, and ten individuals.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. DeMello's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be reappointed to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council as a private sector member. Your Committee notes that Mr. DeMello has been a public affairs strategic planner and implementor since 1996 and currently works as Senior Vice President of Communications and External Affairs at Ulupono Initiative. Previously, Mr. DeMello was a Vice President of Public and Government Affairs at Anthology Marketing Group. Your Committee further notes that Mr. DeMello has served on the Hawaii Workforce Development Council from 2022 to the present, where he serves as the Special Projects Committee Chair. Your Committee finds that Mr. DeMello's experience and knowledge will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Workforce Development Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Keith DeMello be reappointed to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor and Technology,
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____________________________ BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair |
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