Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, and 300 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 are volunteers, willing to serve without compensation, and will work with compassion and commitment to assist in administering the responsibilities of the Disability and Communication Access Board. Your Committee further finds that the nominees have been appointed based upon their professional credentials, integrity, and a desire to make Hawaii better through their participation on the Disability and Communication Access Board.

Your Committee notes the following specific qualifications of the nominees:

Anthony S. Akamine is a consumer representing the blind and visually impaired community. He has been very active on the Board as the past Chairperson of Board and current Legislative Chairperson. Mr. Akamine is in the telecommunications business and is able to provide perspective from the business and employer community.

Ronald Awa is an architect in private practice. He has been very active with the former Architectural Access Committee and, after an absence, is interested in returning to community service. Mr. Awa is knowledgeable in areas relating to the design standards under both the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act.

Richard R. Chaves is a consumer representing the population of people with mobility impairments. His prior experience as the former Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator for Bank of Hawaii has been invaluable in providing insight of a large business that has sought to comply with disability nondiscrimination laws.

Sharon Fountain has a diverse background that will bring different perspectives to the Board. Ms. Fountain is the Vice President of PDMI Care, which provides residential housing to persons with mental illness. She also has a business in Americans with Disabilities Act consulting, working with architects and contractors to help resolve physical access issues. Ms. Fountain also has a brother with cerebral palsy and brings a family perspective to the Board.

Francine M. Kenyon is a consumer representing the deaf and hard of hearing community. She has been an extremely active and supportive member of the Board, participating in the Standing Committee on Communication Access (due to her deafness) and the Standing Committee on Parking (due to her use of a parking placard for persons with disabilities) and legislative efforts. She is a former member of the Hawaii State Coordinating Council on Deafness.

Dr. Lucy Miller is a consumer representing the deaf and hard of hearing community. She is also one of two representatives from the Island of Kauai. She is also a licensed practicing family psychotherapist and educator. Dr. Miller has been actively involved as Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Communication Access of the Board and is currently the Board's Vice Chairperson. She is a former member and Chair of the Hawaii State Coordinating Council on Deafness.

Patricia Nielson is a consumer with a mobility impairment. She manages the Handi-Van paratransit services for people with mobility impairments throughout the City and County of Honolulu. As a wheelchair user, she also uses a handicapped parking placard and currently chairs the Standing Committee on Parking.

Testimony in support of the nominees was submitted by the Disability and Communication Access Board.

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