Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The Senate Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism (EET) today voted to recommend that the Senate not advise and consent to the nomination of Chris Sadayasu for the position of Director for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
The hearing included testimony from Governor Josh Green, Chief Housing Officer Nani Medeiros, and numerous state agencies.
The vote was 4-1, with Senators Lynn DeCoite, Glenn Wakai, Donna Mercado Kim, and Kurt Fevella voting in favor of the recommendation to not advise and consent. Senator Carol Fukunaga was the lone vote in opposition of the recommendation.
“Although I believe Chris is a decent person, his performances during several Senate committee hearings have left me with doubts about his ability to effectively lead this department,” said Senator Lynn DeCoite, chair of the EET committee. “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.”
Despite the committee’s recommendation, Sadayasu’s nomination will move forward for a vote and final consideration by the full 25-member Senate.
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