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. 287, 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 the nominees have the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the Hawai'i County Subarea Health Planning Council (Council).

Testimony in support of all the nominees was received from the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Ka'u Learning Center, Inc. and a former Managing Director of Hawaii County submitted testimony in support of Juliette M. Tulang. Testimony in support of Wayne S. Higaki was received from the Senator representing the First Senatorial District and North Hawaii Community Hospital.

Karlson Pung attended the University of Hawaii and Kapiolani Community College. He is a paramedic and operations manager for American Medical Response. Mr. Pung is also a self-employed musician. He currently serves as vice chair of the Hawaii County Emergency Medical Service Advisory Committee.

Juliette M. Tulang is a graduate of Honokaa High School and received Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Linifield College in Oregon. She had a distinguished career with the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation and retired as the department's Director in 2000. Mrs. Tulang is active in various professional and community organizations and has received numerous awards for her work.

Leslie Sook-Hee Chow is a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii. She is a graduate of Claremont McKenna College and the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law. Among her professional affiliations, Ms. Chow is a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association and its Elder Law Section.

Wayne S. Higaki is a graduate of Kapiolani Community College with an Associate of Science degree in radiologic technology. He has over fifteen years of health-related experience in hospital settings and is currently a project manager at North Hawaii Community Hospital.

Lester M. Inouye holds Bachelor degrees from the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Manoa in Agriculture and Zoology respectively. He also holds an Associate Degree in Welding from Honolulu Community College. Mr. Inouye is a Fire Captain with the Hawaii County Fire Department. Furthermore, he is certified as an Emergency Medical Technician and Mobile Intensive Care Technician. His community service activities include volunteering with Mountain View School and Keaau High School.

Kerry A. K. Inouye is a graduate of Hilo High School and attended San Francisco City College and the University of Hawaii at Hilo. He is a retired firefighter, served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve for twenty years, and is certified to administer several forms of emergency care. Among his community service activities, Mr. Inouye is active with the University of Hawaii at Hilo Athletic Association.

Your Committee finds that the nominees have been appointed based upon their credentials, integrity, and desire to improve the quality of health care in the State.

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.