HONOLULU — A Senate committee shot down the nominee tapped to lead the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
HONOLULU — A Senate committee shot down the nominee tapped to lead the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
The Senate Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism voted to recommend the Senate “not advise and consent” to the nomination of Chris Sadayasu for the position of director of the department.
Sens. Lynn DeCoite (D-District 7), Glenn Wakai (D-District 15), Donna Mercado Kim (D-District 14) and Kurt Fevella (D-District 20) voted in favor of the recommendation to “not advise and consent.” Sen. Carol Fukunaga (D-District 11) was the lone vote in opposition of the recommendation.
The move came after numerous hearings, which included testimony from Gov. Josh Green, Chief Housing Officer Nani Medeiros and state agencies. Those hearings apparently gave DeCoite pause.
“Although I believe Chris is a decent person, his performance during several Senate committee hearings have left me with doubts about his ability to effectively lead the department,” said DeCoite, who is chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, in a statement on Thursday.
“Due to the lack of confidence I felt in his potential to effectively manage and collaborate with the agencies that would fall under his direction, I could not support or recommend that we move forward with this nomination.”
However, Sadayasu’s nomination will move forward for a vote and final consideration by the full 25-member state Senate despite the committee’s recommendation.
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Wyatt Haupt Jr., editor, can be reached at 808-245-0457 or whaupt@thegardenisland.com.
