Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 402, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

begs leave to report as follows:

BRANDI M.L. JIM ON earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles and a Master of Science degree in Structural Engineering from Purdue University. Ms. Jim On is currently a member of the Structural Engineers Association of Hawaii.

Testimony in support of Ms. Jim On was submitted by two individuals. Hawaii's Women Coalition testified in opposition to the nominee. The Honolulu County Committee on the Status of Women commented on the nominee.

Your Committee has concerns with the nomination of Ms. Jim On to the Commission on the Status of Women on two levels. First, prospective nominees to the Commission should not only have a broad and in-depth understanding of women's issues, but also be actively involved in women's organizations and issues in the community. Your Committee's concerns with respect to this nominee are not premised upon Ms. Jim On's professional accomplishments or achievements which are noteworthy. Instead, your Committee is concerned with Ms. Jim On's lack of familiarity with the important issues confronting women and girls in Hawaii as well as her lack of involvement with the various women's groups in the community that work with the Commission.

The second concern of your Committee with respect to this nominee centers upon the important role and mission of this Commission. This Commission was first established in 1970 to develop long-range goals and coordinate research planning, programming, and action on the opportunities, needs, problems, and contributions of women in Hawaii. The Commission continues to face daily challenges in not only fulfilling this mission, but also its very existence. Previous Governors as well as the current Governor have reduced the Commission's budget and staffing. Therefore, it is vital that prospective nominees of this Commission be strong advocates who are dedicated to not only the mission of the Commission, but the vital role it continues to play in educating and bringing greater public awareness of women's issues in Hawaii.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee not to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate not advise and consent to the nomination.