The policy committees are comprised of volunteers from the
Chamber membership throughout the state. Members are eligible to
participate in one or all of the Chamber’s six committee pillars organized
to Support a Positive Business Climate and Economy.
The member-driven committees examine the current needs of
the business community and develop legislation, helping to set
the Chamber’s legislative agenda. Additionally, the committees
recommend positions on bills introduced each session.
The committees meet every other month from June-December
and every month during the legislative session from JanuaryMay. The meetings allow members to interact with state legislators and regulators, and network with other business leaders
who share similar responsibilities within their companies.
Most importantly, participation allows members to help shape
the Chamber’s positions on public policy matters that affect
your company’s performance and success.
Chair: Dean Uchida
Vice Chair: Alan Ong
Issues include: Land use,
transportation, affordable
housing, procurement,
infrastructure, environment
and energy
Chair: V. Vance Roley
Issues include: Dual use and
defense technology, tourism,
research and development
Objective: Emphasizes the importance of enhancing the ‘quality
of life’ for the citizens of Hawaii. The committee focuses on issues that will balance the need for growth and preservation of
our fragile environment, while providing opportunities for the
next generation to live and work in Hawaii. Issues include
supporting efforts to improve the state’s infrastructure system,
as it is important to Hawaii’s economic health and safety for all,
and advance improvements to the state’s transportation system.
Objective: Explores initiatives that help diversify and grow Hawaii’s economy, while maintaining strong support of the state’s
main economic driver, tourism. Emphasis is placed on economic
development through innovation at all levels, including research
and development, which is critical to job creation, and to
competewith players in the national and international arena.
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Co-chairs: John Knorek, Trever
Asam, Michael Robinson
Issues include: Human
resources, health, tax and
judiciary
Chair: Brian Tatsumura
Vice-Chair: David Tumilowicz
Issues include: Mentoring
programs, workforce readiness
Skills and improving the
education system
Chair: Reg Baker
Vice-Chairs: Calvin Hutton &
Erin Chrisholm-Matsunaga
Objective: Addresses the government, fiscal and employment
policies that make the state more competitive and encourages
the orderly economic growth of Hawaii by creating an environment that will attract new business, stimulate expansion of the
private sector and provide increased employment opportunities.
This includes developing and reviewing policy initiatives, and
promoting legislation which strikes a balance between the need
for fairness to employees and the employer’s need to run its
business efficiently and effectively, and advocating against
government initiatives which undermine employers’ legitimate
needs to manage and run their businesses and institutions.
Objective: Promotes excellence in all sectors of Hawaii’s education system: public, private, primary, secondary and postsecondary. Advocates for meaningful, long-term educational reform,
encourages public/private partnerships, and embraces the
creative use of resources to enhance student learning and
achievement.
Objective: Represents the interests of small business in legislative and regulatory matters, and works to provide opportunities
for the establishment, growth and development of small
business, and to benefit small business Chamber members
through participation.
Issues include: Small
business incentives, small
business workshops/training
and procurement
Chair: David Carey
Objective: Serves as the liaison for the state in matters relating
to the military in Hawaii by promoting a strong and viable partnership between the state and county governments and the
military commands. Meets regularly with the Commander of the
U.S. Pacific Command and the Commanders for the U.S. Pacific
Fleet, Pacific Air Forces, U.S. Army Pacific, Marine Forces Pacific
and the 14th Coast Guard District. Develops an environment that
fosters effective civil-military communication, understanding
and issue resolution in order to strengthen the ties and improve
cooperation between both communities for the purpose of
fostering better business and community growth opportunities.
*The Military Affairs Council is a closed committee
For more information and to join one of the Chamber’s Policy Committees, please contact
Jenny Lee at [email protected] or call (808) 380-2608.