Posted on: Friday, February 28, 2003

Senate vote postponed on business nominee

By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer

The man likely to steer Hawai'i's economy through choppy waters received strong support during a Senate confirmation hearing yesterday.

However, senators postponed voting on Ted Liu, the governor's nominee for director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Gov. Linda Lingle named Liu to fill the role about six weeks ago. A decision on whether to recommend Liu to the full Senate was delayed to give members of the economic development and tourism committees time to review written responses to questions posed to Liu, said Sen. Carol Fukunaga, D-11th (Makiki, Pawa'a).

"Some of the responses came in today and we want to be able to look at them before we make a decision," she said. "Also, several committee members haven't had a chance to meet with him yet."

Liu, who received more than 70 written supporting testimonials from business leaders, faced numerous questions from senators regarding his background and plans for the agency.

Despite having a diverse background in venture finance, banking and law, Liu said it was two unrelated jobs early in his career that provided some of his most valuable lessons: selling newspapers and waiting on tables in a Chinese restaurant.

"That taught me to hustle," he said. "It also taught me that people will try to take advantage of you and try to give you 25 cents" for a 35-cent paper."

Liu also discussed his plan to make DBEDT more responsive to the small-business community. He said the agency is restructuring to better provide ideas, information and other support needed to drive small-business growth.