STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1813

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  GOV. MSG. NO. 269
                                        




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which
was referred Governor's Message No. 269, submitting for study and
consideration the nominations of:

BOARD OF ACUPUNCTURE

     G.M. No. 269       MELVIN S.H. FONG and CHRISTIANE W.
                        CHRIST, O.M.D., for terms to expire
                        June 30, 2003, 

begs leave to report as follows:

     The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)
presented testimony in support of the nomination of Melvin S.H.
Fong.  The Hawaii Government Employees Association, while not
present, submitted testimony in support of Mr. Fong.  The Hawaii
Acupuncture Association and the Oriental Medical Institute of
Hawaii, while not present, submitted testimony in support of the
nomination of Christiane W. Christ.

     Upon review of the statements submitted by the nominees,
your Committee finds that the nominees are volunteers, willing to
serve without compensation, and will assist in administering the
Board of Acupuncture (Board) with compassion and commitment.

     Your Committee notes as follows with respect to the specific
qualifications of the nominees:

     Melvin S.H. Fong has served on the Board since July, 1995,
and has been involved with the Board's proposed amendments to its

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1813
                                   Page 2


administrative rules.  Mr. Fong brings to the Board the
invaluable perspective of a consumer and layperson.

     Christiane W. Christ has been a licensed acupuncturist in
the State since 1992, and holds a Master of Acupuncture degree
from the Oriental Medical Institute of Hawaii.  Ms. Christ is a
member of several acupuncturists' professional organizations and
also sits on the Acupuncture Advisory Committee to the Regulated
Industries Complaints Office of DCCA.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to
this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the
background, character, experience, and qualifications of the
nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the
positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate
advise and consent to the nominations.


                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Commerce and
                                   Consumer Protection,



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN KANNO, Co-Chair



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Co-Chair

 
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