STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1828

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  GOV. MSG. NO. 337
                                        




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

BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS

     G.M. No. 337       ANN H. KOBAYASHI, THOMAS SIDNEY KOSASA,
                        M.D., BENJAMIN M. ONO, M.D., and RAMON K.
                        SY, M.D., for terms to expire June 30,
                        2003, 

begs leave to report as follows:

     The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs presented
testimony in support of the reappointment of Dr. Ono and an
individual presented testimony in support of Ms. Kobayashi.  The
Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, although not present at
the hearing, submitted written testimony in support of Ms.
Kobayashi.

     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 Medical Examiners with compassion and
commitment.

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


 
a                                                     GM337
 
                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1828
                                   Page 2


     Ann H. Kobayashi is the Community Liaison for the Office of
the Governor.  She served as a Hawaii State Senator from 1980 to
1994.  Ms. Kobayashi attended Pembroke College and Northwestern
University.  Presently, Ms. Kobayashi serves on the Board of
Governors of the Hawaii Lupus Foundation, the Board of Directors
of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and the Board of Directors
of the Windward Spouse Abuse Shelter.

     Thomas Sidney Kosasa is Co-Director of the Pacific In Vitro
Fertilization Institute and an Associate Professor in the
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the John A. Burns
School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii.  He received his
Medical Degree from McGill University Medical School.  Dr. Kosasa
is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, the American Fertility Society, and the Hawaii
Medical Association.

     Benjamin M. Ono is a medical doctor in private practice on
the island of Hawaii.  He received his Medical Degree from the
University of California at Los Angeles Medical School.  Dr. Ono
is a member of the Hawaii County Medical Society and is active
with the Hawaii Chapter of the American Lung Association.

     Ramon K. Sy is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the John
A. Burns School of Medicine and President and Co-Founder of the
Aloha Medical Mission.  Dr. Sy received his Medical Degree from
the University of Santo Thomas in Manila.  He is a member of the
Hawaii Medical Association, the Hawaii Otolaryngology, Head, and
Neck Society, and the International College of Physicians.

     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.


 
a                                                     GM337
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1828
                                   Page 3


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



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN KANNO, Co-Chair



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Co-Chair

 
a                                                     GM337