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 No. 9, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Testimony supporting the nomination was received from the Deputy Director of Health, Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, a Trustee of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Leahi Hospital, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, The Queen's Health Systems, The Queen's Medical Center, Hawaii Pacific Health, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, Papa Ola Lokahi, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Medical Association, Friends of Imi Ho'ola, Aloha Care, Hawaii Coalition of Care Home Administrators, National Alliance of the Mentally Ill – Oahu, Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, Mental Health Association in Hawaii, University of Hawaii School of Public Health Alumni Association, 'Ahahui o na Kauka, and eight individuals. E Ola Mau and one individual submitted oral testimony in support of the nominee.

Chiyome L. Fukino, M.D., graduated from the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine in 1979, completed her residency through the University of Hawaii Integrated Medical Residency Program in 1982, and, after being employed as a physician with Fronk Clinic, started her own private practice in 1985. She has also served as the medical director for Queen's Physician Group, part-time medical staff for Leahi Hospital, and a contract consultant for Kahi Mohala.

Throughout her industrious career, Dr. Fukino has contributed an enormous amount of her time and expertise toward improving health care in Hawaii. She is a board member of the Queen's Medical Center and the Chair of the Hawaii Medical Association Native Hawaiian Health Committee, and has served on numerous other boards, committees, and task forces. In addition, Dr. Fukino has made presentations at various hospitals on alternative and herbal medicine. Her dedication to Native Hawaiian health issues is self-evident in her work with E Ola Mau, a nonprofit corporation of Native Hawaiian Health Care Providers dedicated to improving the health of Native Hawaiians. Under the coordination of Dr. Fukino, E Ola Mau developed Aids Education Curriculum for Native Hawaiians and No Ka Pono O Ke Ola O Na Pokii, a project that provided health care services to students.

Upon review of the statements submitted by the nominee and the testimony received, your Committee finds that the nominee is committed to reviewing the structure and operations of the Department of Health to weed out inefficiencies, provide for quality assurance, and establish clear lines of accountability. In addition, your Committee believes that the nominee will be diligent in her efforts to create, sustain, and promote prevention programs and address the health needs of the residents of the entire State. Your Committee further finds that the nominee has been appointed based upon her credentials, integrity, and sincere desire to improve the health and welfare of Hawaii's residents as Director of the Department of Health.

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 nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.