Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, and 458, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, résumés, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds the nominees to have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of WILLIAM A. BURWELL from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (Council). Mr. Burwell currently works as a custodian for Network Enterprises in Lihue, Kauai, and has been a member of the Council since July 1, 2000. He is a member of the Council's Community Supports and Public Awareness, Education, and Training Committees. Mr. Burwell is active in his community through his participation with the Arc of Kauai, Special Olympics, and the March of Dimes. He was formerly a member of a Statewide Steering Committee for a project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to enable individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve choice and control in their lives.

Your Committee received testimony in support of MARTHA GUINAN from the Council. Ms. Guinan is a parent of a young man with special needs, and was first appointed to the Council on June 1, 2000. She is a member of the Council's Employment and Education Committee and her participation has provided the Committee with valuable insights regarding the transition of students with disabilities from school to community life. Ms. Guinan is also a member of the Poohala Family Support Council which has been involved with providing recommendations for a one stop center for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Your Committee received testimony in support of PATRICIA L. HEU, MD, MPH, from the Council and two individuals. Dr. Heu was appointed to the Council on June 1, 2000, as a representative of Title V of the Social Security Act, and is currently a member of the Council's Health and Homes Committee. Dr. Heu currently serves as the Chief of the Department of Health's Children with Special Health Needs Branch. Dr. Heu earned her medical degree from the John A. Burns School of Medicine and her Masters in Public Health from the University of Hawaii School of Public Health.

Your Committee received testimony in support of MARY F. JOSSEM from the Council. Ms. Jossem currently serves as the Executive Director of the Special Education Center of Hawaii (SECOH). Ms. Jossem's experience in working in the field of developmental disabilities includes serving on the Hawaii Home and Community Based Services Task Force. Ms. Jossem is also a recipient of the Weinberg Aim for Excellence Award for her outstanding achievement in nonprofit management and received her second Weinberg award for opening the SECOH Center specializing in support for people with Alzheimer's or dementia.

Your Committee received testimony in support of ELROY K.M. MALO from the Council. Mr. Malo currently serves as a program specialist for Pacific Resources for Education and Learning, and is also a self-employed storyteller for which he has received a lifetime award. He was first appointed to the Council on July 1, 2000, and is a member of the Council's Health and Homes Committee. Mr. Malo sits on the Kalaupapa Ohana Board, and is a former resident of Kalaupapa.

Your Committee received testimony in support of EVAN A.R. MURAKAMI from the Council and two individuals. Mr. Murakami currently serves as an Individual Mentor with the Case Management and Information Services Branch of the Department of Health. He is also the Co-Chair of the Governing Council for the Community Personal Assistance Services and Supports grant, which provides individuals with developmental disabilities employment and management training to enable them to hire and manage their own personal assistants and make informed choices about the services and supports they receive.

Your Committee received testimony in support of SHERYL NELSON from the Council. Ms. Nelson is currently a self-employed individual with a disability operating her own company called Open Access, where she educates and advocates on disability issues and in increasing access for individuals with disabilities. Through sheer determination and will, Ms. Nelson left the institution she lived in as a child, earned a bachelor degree from the University of Washington, and has become successful in her life and work. Ms. Nelson is active in her community through her participation as a current member of Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii, and as a past member of the State Independent Living Council.

Your Committee received testimony in support of MARK F. ROMOSER from the Council and an individual. Mr. Romoser currently serves as the Statewide Self-Advocacy Coordinator for the Hawaii Centers for Independent Living where he has been instrumental in providing training to individuals with developmental disabilities to become their own advocates and take control of their lives. Mr. Romoser was first appointed to the Council on July 1, 2000, and serves as Chair of the Public Awareness, Education, and Training Committee.

Your Committee received testimony in support of BETSY R. WHITNEY from the Council. Ms. Whitney currently owns and operates Dolphin Press, and is also an Alternate Format Translator. She was first appointed to the Council on July 1, 2000, and is a member on the Community Supports Committee. Ms. Whitney is also the current President of the Hawaii Centers for Independent Living and has extensive experience and community service with the National Braille Transcriber's Association, Big Island AIDS Project, Mayor's Committee on People with Disabilities, and Disability Rights Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of MARK YASUO YABUI from the Council and an individual. Mr. Yabui is currently a contract management specialist with the Maternal Child Health Branch, Family Health Services Division of the Department of Health. Mr. Yabui was first appointed to the Council on July 1, 2001, and serves as its Vice Chair. Mr. Yabui was a past president of the Hawaii Centers for Independent Living and a past member of the State Rehabilitation Council.

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, 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.