HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP HSEDC 003 11/16/1999 1998-2000 P.EPOF.T OF THE
COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: November 16, 1999 Re: Communication No. 535
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 1:00 p.m.
Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Human Services and Economic Development, to which was referred Communication
No. 535, reports as follows:
Communication No. 535 is transmitted by Mayor Stephen K. Yamashiro, dated November 5, 1999,
submitting for confirmation the appointment of Margarita Leyson Hopkins as Director of the Department
of Research and Development.
Mrs. Hopkins has served as the department's Economic Development Specialist since 1989. She holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a Master's degree in agriculture economics. She also
attended Oregon State University for coursework toward her Ph.D. During her tenure with the
department, Mrs. Hopkins has developed a county agricultural development plan, recommended revisions
to the agricultural tax section of the Hawaii County Code and the Hawaii County General Plan as it
relates to agriculture, and has overseen projects including the Ka`u Agriculture Water Project and the
Papaya Ringspot Quarantine Project in Puna. She has established outstanding relationships with many
agricultural commodity groups and professional organizations including the UH Sea Grant College
Program and the Papaya Administrative Committee.
Testimony in support of Mrs. Hopkins' appointment was given by Mr. Robert Cooper and outgoing R&D
director Diane Quitiquit, who commended Mrs. Hopkins for her professionalism, hard work and
commitment to community service. Additionally, letters of support for the appointment of Mrs. Hopkins
were received from the Big Island Papaya Growers Association; Mr. Emerson F. Llantero; Mr. Ralph H.
Iwamoto, Regional Asia/Pacific Director, USDA/APHIS, U.S. Embassy, Tokyo; Ms. Lynn Richardson;
Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce; Ms. Millie Kim; Big Island Banana Growers Association; Big
Island Dendrobium Growers Association; Hawaii Export Nursery Association; Hawaii Orchid Growers
Association; and Ms. Noelani Whittington ofNoelani Fanns.
Mrs. Hopkins was present at the meeting. Councilwoman Jacobson thanked Mrs. Hopkins for her work
on the Ka`u Water Project, but expressed disapproval of her participation in panel presentations
concerning irradiation during 1998. She suggested that the expression of partisan positions on ballot
issues violated laws, without citing the statutes violated. Mrs. Hopkins explained that she participated in
one forum sponsored by HGEA and her work on behalf of an irradiation facility represented an initiative
of the county administration requested by local fruit growers. In response to queries posed by
Councilwoman Leithead-Todd, Mrs. Hopkins stated that her presentation was conducted in the evening,
on her own time. Council members Yagong, Leithead-Todd, Pisicchio, Elarionoff and Tyler expressed
support for her appointment, along with their gratitude for the dedication and contributions of outgoing
director Diane Quitiquit.
Mr. Yagong inquired whether the position currently held by Mrs. Hopkins would be filled and was
informed that R&D director Diane Quitiquit, Mrs. Hopkins and Mayor Yamashiro would confer to make
that determination. Mr. Yagong urged that the position be filled. Councilwoman Julie Jacobson voted
Kanalua twice on the motion to approve the appointment of Mrs. Hopkins.
Pursuant to Section 13-8 of the Hawaii County Charter, the Council shall confirm or deny confirmation
within sixty days of the appointment of any department head. The effective date of Mrs. Hopkins
appointment is January 1, 2000.
Your Committee on Human Services and Economic Development members are in accord with the
appointment of Ms. Hopkins and recommends her confirmation by the full Council at its next scheduled
meeting.
AYES NOES A&E EX RaspeCtfUlly submitted
TYLER X
iACOesoN x COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
cHHN~ x & ECONO I VELOPMENT
ELARIONOPF X
LBITHEAD-TODD X ~ ,~/'1~~\~~
Flslcculo x J. C RTI TYLER, III, CHAIR
SMITH X
vncoNC x HSEDC REPORT NO 3
ARAKAKI, E.O.M. X
ADOPTED: pEC 0 1 1999