The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s (DBEDT) Small Business Regulatory Review Board (SBRRB) has announced its officers for 2017 – 2018.

Anthony Borge

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.

Robert Cundiff

Robert Cundiff, Vice Chair (Oahu) – Mr. 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.

Garth Yamanaka

Garth Yamanaka, Second Vice Chair (Hawaii) – Mr. 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.

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

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

DBEDT Director Luis P. Salaveria

About the Small Business Regulatory Review Board:
The SBRRB was established on July 1, 1998 with the passage of the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act. The responsibilities of the SBRRB 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, and
  5. Review of small business petitions and complaints on business impact.

Statutorily, 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.

The appointments reflect a representation of a variety of businesses in the state with no more than two members from the same type of business and at least one representative from each county. In addition, nominations are solicited from small business organizations, state and county chambers of commerce and other interested business organizations.