Garth Yamanaka Elected as SBRRB Officer for 2017-18

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s Small Business Regulatory Review Board announced its officers for 2017 – 2018 today.

Garth Yamanaka. Photo Courtesy

Responsibilities of the The Small Business Regulatory Review Board include:

1) Commentary on small business impact statements to the rule-drafting departments

2) Identification and commentary on business impact of existing administrative rules

3) Recommendations to the Governor’s Office, Departments or the Legislature regarding the need for an administrative rule or legislative change

4) Recommendations to the Mayors or County Councils regarding County rules

5) Review of small business petitions and complaints on business impact.

The board announced that Anthony Borge has been reappointed as SBRRB chair. Borge has been a member of the Board since December 2012, and has served as its Chairperson since 2014. He is the general manager of RMA Sales Co., Inc.

Garth Yamanaka, Second Vice Chair (Hawaiʻi) – Yamanaka works at Yamanaka Enterprises, Inc., in Hilo, specializing in residential and commercial sales, and property management. He has been a member of the SBRRB since 2015.

Robert Cundiff, Vice Chair (Oʻahu) – Cundiff is the senior vice president of Rengo Packaging, Inc. He has been a board member since 2016 and was recently confirmed to serve a new term on the SBRRB through 2020.

Other members are Harris Nakamoto (Oʻahu), Kyoko Kimura (Maui), and Nancy Atmospera-Walch (Oʻahu).

“Our board members serve on a voluntary basis, and we are thankful that they are taking the time to help shape Hawaiʻi’s business community,” said DBEDT Director Luis P. Salaveria. “I extend my sincere appreciation and wish them the best to fulfill their duties on the board.”

The SBRRB is comprised of nine members – eight current or former owners or officers of businesses from across the state, and the Director of DBEDT or the Director’s designated representative, who serves as an “ex officio” board member.

Aside from DBEDT’s Director, the board members, with the advice and consent of the senate, are appointed by the governor.

Three members are appointed from a list of nominees submitted by the president of the Senate, three members are appointed from a list of nominees submitted by the speaker of the House of Representatives, and two members are appointed by the governor.