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

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the testimony and statements submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that each of the nominees has the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve of the Disability and Communication Access Board (Board).

Your Committee received testimony in support of each nominee from the Board. Testimony in support of Marie Kimmey was also submitted by the Government Affairs Chair of the American Institute of Architects.

Your Committee notes the following background and qualifications of each of the nominees.

Mr. Chang is an architect in private practice and a current member of the Board on the Standing Committee on Facility Access, and a former member of the Architectural Access Committee, prior to its incorporation into the Board. His historical perspective and background will be an asset to the Board.

Ms. Pagano represents the deaf and hard of hearing community. She has been actively involved recently in legislation to increase the availability of sign language interpreters in the State of Hawaii. She also works with the Board as a volunteer on its interpreter credentialing program. She is a teacher at St. Francis High School.

Mr. Krysler is a consumer representing individuals with mobility impairments. He is knowledgeable in areas specifically related to assistive technology and has worked with the Board on access issues in the electronic medium.

Mr. Olesen is an engineer and former Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator for the County of Hawaii, now a private citizen. His background in facility design and his knowledge of the law will be extremely valuable to the Board in compliance efforts under §103-50, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Mr. Olesen resides on and represents the Big Island.

Ms. Kimmey is an architect in private practice. She is extremely knowledgeable about the ADA Accessibility Design Guidelines and has worked with the Board both as a private architect and as a representative of the American Institute of Architects on efforts to strengthen building codes and state laws relating to accessible design. Ms. Kimmey resides on and represents the County of Maui.

Your Committee finds that the nominees have been appointed based upon their credentials, integrity, and a desire to improve the quality of life for disabled persons in Hawaii through their participation on the Board.

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