Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 158, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Kristine M. Foster, Wendell T. Murakawa, Bert Y. Matsuoka, and Barbara A. Yamashita, Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances, for terms to expire June 30, 2004.

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the testimony and the statements submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that Kristine M. Foster, Wendell T. Murakawa, Bert Y. Matsuoka, and Barbara A. Yamashita has the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to sit on the Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances.

Testimony in support of all the nominees was submitted by the Department of Health and in support of Kristine Foster and Bert Matsuoka, by the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee notes the following specific qualifications of the nominees:

Kristine M. Foster is the Administrator for the Department of Human Services, Benefit Employment and Support Services Division. She has progressed through the ranks within the Department of Human Services as an Income Maintenance Worker,

Quality Maintenance Worker and Program Specialist. Ms. Foster has most recently been at the forefront of the State's welfare reform initiative. Her knowledge and expertise in the policy changes to be anticipated at both the federal and state levels, as well as the impact of decisions on those reliant on public assistance programs, brings forth perspectives of those who may lack a voice in the decision-making process.

Wendell T. Murakawa is the administrator for the Intake Service Centers Division within the Department of Public Safety. Mr. Murakawa's extensive experience within the field of corrections, and his first-hand knowledge of the impact that substance abuse has on individuals, will inform the decision-making process and ensure that both public health and public safety concerns are adequately considered throughout the process. Mr. Murakawa's expertise in the nuances of law enforcement, prosecutorial, judicial, and corrections policies and procedures, will enhance programming efforts to address the offender population.

Bert Y. Matsuoka is the Executive Director of the Office of Youth Services. His experience in developing, coordinating and implementing statewide conferences, seminars and workshops involving communities, businesses, agencies, organizations, and schools has facilitated linkages between public and private agency efforts in responding to youth related services.

Barbara A. Yamashita currently works in the field of perinatal health within the Family Health Services Division of the Department of Health. Ms. Yamashita has a wide range of experiences in federal- and state-funded health, human services, and criminal justice programs in policy development and program management.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services 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.