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. 433, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

begs leave to report as follows:

SARA BANKS earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University and a Master's degree from the University of California at Los Angeles. Currently, Ms. Banks is a Specialist at the Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she develops training programs, including a statewide sixth grade science program that integrates Native Hawaiian culture, values, and accomplishments into a standards-based science curriculum.

Testimony in support of Ms. Banks was submitted by the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, the Interim Director of the Center on Disabilities Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the Center, Life Foundation, and one individual.

Your Committee notes that Ms. Banks has been serving on the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission since 2004 as an interim appointee. In that brief period of time, Ms. Banks has made important contributions in the work of the Commission. Further, your Committee also notes Ms. Banks' dedication to promoting civil rights in the community as evidenced by her active involvement in the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in Hawaii and creating employment opportunities for women in the construction industry.

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