STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1824

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  GOV. MSG. NO. 296
                                        




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. 296, submitting for study and
consideration the nominations of:

BOARD OF TRUSTEES, HAWAI'I PUBLIC EMPLOYEES HEALTH FUND

     G.M. No. 296       JAMES H. YASUDA, for a term to expire
                        June 30, 2000; and 

                        ROBERT S.J. HU, for a term to expire
                        June 30, 2003; 

begs leave to report as follows:

     The Hawaii State Teachers Association-Retired presented
testimony in support of both nominees.  The Retirees Unit of the
Hawaii Government Employees Association presented testimony in
support of James H. Yasuda.  The Hawaii State Teachers
Association presented testimony in support of Robert S.J. Hu.
The Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA), while not
present, submitted testimony in support of Mr. Yasuda. 

     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
functions of the Board of Trustees of the Hawai'i Public
Employees Health Fund with compassion and commitment.

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

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1824
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     James H. Yasuda has spent more than thirty years in public
employment, with the Department of Education, Office of
Collective Bargaining, Office of the Governor, and Department of
Accounting and General Services.  Mr. Yasuda currently represents
the interests of retired government employees as part of the
Retirees Unit of HGEA.

     Robert S.J. Hu is a teacher at Mililani High School and has
taught in Hawaii's public schools since 1968.  In addition to
teaching, Mr. Hu is involved with education at the local, state,
and national levels, serving as Senior Class Adviser and School
Community Based Management Chair at Mililani High School, sitting
on the board of directors of the Hawaii State Teachers
Association, and serving as a delegate to the National
Educational Association convention.  Mr. Hu is also involved with
various community groups including the Boy Scouts, Disabled
American Veterans, and Mililani Lions Club. 

     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 nomination.

                                   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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