Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 310, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the statements submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that the aforementioned nominees will work with compassion and commitment to assist in administering the board functions related to education.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nominees from the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board. Your Committee received testimony in support of Annete Masutani, Vaughn K. Tokashiki, Cheryl Shintani, Twylla-Dawn Steer, Charlene Miyashiro, and Fairfax A. Reilly from the Hawaii State Teachers Association. Your Committee received testimony in support of Robert Witt from the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools. Your Committee received testimony in support of Sharon T. Nakagama and Catherine H. Payne from the Hawaii Government Employees Association.

Charlene H. Miyashiro received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Hawaii (UH) at Manoa. She also holds a Professional Diploma in Elementary Education. Since 1995, Ms. Miyashiro has served as a 5^th grade teacher at Waiakeawaena Elementary School. She has taught in various capacities since 1974, and in 1990 she won the Hawaii District Teacher of the Year Award.

Annette Masutani received her Bachelor of Education degree and Professional Diploma from UH. From 1998-2001 she worked as Curriculum Coordinator for Wai'alae School. Ms. Masutani has taught in Hawaii since 1971.

Sharon T. Nakagawa received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Indiana University. She holds two Professional Certificates and served as a teacher or principal in the Hawaii public school system from 1970.

Catherine H. Payne received her Bachelor of Education and Master of Education degrees from UH. Since 1984 she has worked as a School Administrator with the Department of Education (DOE); prior to that she was a teacher with DOE. In 1991 Ms. Payne won the State Secondary Principal of the Year Award.

Fairfax A. Reilly received his Bachelor of Arts degree from American University and his Master of Education degree from the University of Washington. He is licensed as a K-12 School Counselor in Hawaii and has worked as a School Counselor at Lanai High and Elementary School since 1978. He is very active with community and professional organizations.

Cheryl M. Shintani received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from UH, specializing in Elementary Education. Since 1995 she has worked as a West Complex (Kauai) Behavior Management Resource Teacher. She is also involved with several community groups.

Twylla-Dawn Steer graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Zoology with a minor emphasis in Chemistry. Since 1983 she has worked within the DOE at Aiea High School. She is involved with numerous community and professional organizations.

Vaughn K. Tokashiki received his Bachelor of Arts degree and Fifth-Year Diploma from UH in 1971. Since 1987 he has worked as a 5^th grade teacher at Benjamin Parker School in Kaneohe. He is involved with numerous community and professional organizations.

Robert Witt has served as Executive Director of the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools since 1989, and president of the Hawaiian Educational Council since 1992. He also provides leadership for two affiliated educational organizations, the Hawaii Council of Private Schools and the Pacific Basin Consortium.

Your Committee finds that the nominees have been appointed based upon their credentials, integrity, and a desire to make Hawaii better through their participation on the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education 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.