STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3174

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 383

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 383, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Hawai'i Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances

G.M. No. 383

KARL P. ESPALDON, for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Karl P. Espaldon to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Hawai‘i Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Karl P. Espaldon's nomination to the Hawai‘i Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances from the Department of Health.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Karl P. Espaldon has extensive professional experience working with at risk populations in a variety of capacities.  Mr. Espaldon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science before going on to earn a Juris Doctorate degree.  His legal career includes time spent as a Deputy Public Defender, a Law Clerk with the Intermediate Court of Appeals, and Chief of Staff in the Office of the Delegate to Congress from Guam.  Mr. Espaldon is experienced with government agencies after serving as the Interim Executive Director and the Research, Planning, and Resource Development Administrator of the Office of Community Services within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the State Drug Control Liaison with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.  In 2009, Mr. Espaldon left government service for the non-profit sector and is now the Director of Planning, Program Development, and Communications with the Honolulu Community Action Program.

     Mr. Espaldon's impressive career has provided him with both policy and practical experience in the area of substance abuse prevention.  His range of experience and legal expertise will bring an important point of view to the Commission.  In addition, Mr. Espaldon's unflagging interest in the issue of substance abuse and his excellent working relationship with the Department of Health will be assets to the Commission. 

     As affirmed by the records 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 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.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair