Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which were referred Governor's Message Nos. 370 and 371, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

beg leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the testimony and statements submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that Kenneth Teruya Akinaka and Patricia Lockwood have the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the Statewide Independent Living Council.

Testimony in support of Kenneth Teruya Akinaka was submitted by the Statewide Independent Living Council.

Kenneth Teruya Akinaka, MRA, is the CARF Accreditation Specialist, Hepatitis C Research Coordinator, and Resource Development Director at Drug Addiction Services of Hawaii, Inc. (DASH), a substance abuse treatment service provider. He also has small business experience, as the founder of Professional Systems Management (PSM) and creator of PSM's "60 Second Organizer" office organizing system. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with honors from San Francisco State University and a Masters in Rehabilitation Administration from the University of San Francisco. He has demonstrated a willingness and experience in working with organizations that help individuals with disabilities. His expertise on Hepatitis C, substance abuse, and the disabilities associated with these conditions will broaden the knowledge base of the Statewide Independent Living Council. In addition, Mr. Akinaka is actively involved and serves on the boards of a number of professional and community organizations.

Patricia Lockwood is the Executive Director of the Hawaii Centers for Independent Living, a nonprofit organization composed of independent living centers statewide to promote independent living and the integration of persons with disabilities into the community, and as such is a designated member of the Statewide Council on Independent Living, pursuant to section 348-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Ms. Lockwood has significant experience in developing and implementing independent living programs and supporting services in Montana and Hawaii that will strengthen the Statewide Independent Living Council. She is also a person with a disability (multiple sclerosis) and a strong advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on 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.