STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1720

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 451, 452, 453, 454, 455

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

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

Disability and Communication Access Board

G.M. No. 451

MARIE E. KIMMEY,

for a term to expire 06-30-2009;

G.M. No. 452

WILLIAM K. KOKI, II,

for a term to expire 06-30-2009;

G.M. No. 453

STERLING KRYSLER,

for a term to expire 06-30-2009;

G.M. No. 454

MARK T. OBATAKE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2007; and

G.M. No. 455

NORMAN F. OLESEN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2009,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds the nominees to have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to the Disability and Communication Access Board.

Your Committee received testimony in support of MARIE E. KIMMEY from the Disability and Communication Access Board. Ms. Kimmey has served as a member of the Board for the last three and one-half years. She is the current Chair of the Facility Access Committee and previously chaired the Nomination Committee. Ms. Kimmey is an architect with Riecke Sunnland Kono Architects, Ltd. and knowledgeable in the areas of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Fair Housing Design. She provides audits regarding compliance for new and existing buildings. Ms. Kimmey's experience in the field of accessible design and policy is a valuable asset to the Board.

Your Committee received testimony in support of WILLIAM K. KOKI, II from the Disability and Communication Access Board. Mr. Koki is presently filling a vacancy on the Board and was recently appointed to serve as Chair of the Standing Committee on Communication Access. Mr. Koki is an American Sign Language interpreter and currently employed with Hawai'i Centers for Independent Living. He also instructs an American Sign Language/Interpreter Education Program at Kapi'olani Community College. Mr. Koki provides critical assistance to the Board's office as it implements its program to test and credential American Sign Language interpreters in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of STERLING KRYSLER from the Disability and Communication Access Board. Mr. Krysler is currently completing his first term on the Board. He is a member of the Standing Committee on Communication Access. Mr. Krysler is a person with a disability and a wheelchair user. He is a past President and current member of Aloha Special Technology Access Center, a board member of Hawaii PC User Group, and Vice-President of the Spinal Cord Injury Support Group. He is also a past board member of Hawaii Centers for Independent Living. He is very active as a participant in the Board-sponsored "Tools for Life" exposition of assistive technology and products for persons with disabilities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of MARK T. OBATAKE from the Disability and Communication Access Board, the Statewide Independent Living Council of Hawai'i, United Cerebral Palsy of Hawaii, and one individual. Mr. Obatake is a consumer with a mobility impairment. He has an extensive background in the development of services and advocacy for persons with disabilities. Mr. Obatake is the former Director of the Hawaii Centers for Independent Living, a former Commissioner with the Commission on Persons with Disabilities, and one of the founders of DiverseAbilities. He has also served as a member of Aloha United Way Council of Agency Executives, Statewide Independent Living Council, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii Board of Directors, and the Med-QUEST Phase II Technical Advisory Group. Mr. Obatake possesses the experience and commitment necessary to serve on the Board.

Your Committee received testimony in support of NORMAN F. OLESEN from the Disability and Communication Access Board. Mr. Olesen is completing his first term on the Board where he serves on the Facility Access Committee and the Parking Committee. He also represents the Board at meetings of the Mayors Committee on Disabilities. Mr. Olesen is a licensed engineer with over thirty years of management experience in the construction industry. He served as Deputy Planning Directory for Hawaii County for four years. He was also Executive Assistant to the Mayor and the Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator of Hawaii County whereby he lead the transition plans and major construction projects for the county. Mr. Olesen's engineering perspective complements the other design professionals on the Board.

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.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair