STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1322

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 723, 725, 726

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 723, 725, and 726, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Board of Directors of the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority

G.M. No. 723	DAVID J. GIERLACH, for a term to expire 6-30-2015;
G.M. No. 725	TREVOR N. TOKISHI, for a term to expire 6-30-2015; and
G.M. No. 726	GEORGE YOKOYAMA, for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds David J. Gierlach, Trevor N. Tokishi, and George Yokoyama to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of David J. Gierlach from the Department of Human Services and Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

     Mr. Gierlach earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Hawaii School of Law and a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Maryknoll School of Theology as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the State University of New York at Binghamton.  He has over twenty years of experience as an attorney in private practice and currently serves as the Rector at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church.  In that capacity, Mr. Gierlach has been actively involved with the residents and the Tenant's Association of Mayor Wright Housing.

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Mr. Gierlach has worked for many years on housing issues for Hawaii's vulnerable residents.  He is very knowledgeable about the need for affordable housing, and his experience and compassion in advocating for housing needs will be an asset to the Board.

     Mr. Gierlach indicated in his personal statement that he desires to serve on the Board because he believes affordable housing is an urgent need in the community, and he hopes to be a positive influence and advocate for public housing residents.

     Your Committee is confident that Mr. Gierlach's many years of service to the Oahu community, particularly with respect to his work with low-income housing advocacy groups, will make him a valuable addition to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Trevor N. Tokishi from the Department of Human Services and Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

     Mr. Tokishi received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Human Resource Management from the University of Hawaii.  He is a certified public accountant and the Executive Vice President of the Valley Isle Community Federal Credit Union.  Mr. Tokishi is very active in the Maui community and serves on a variety of boards and commissions, including the Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation, Maui Food Bank, University of Hawaii Maui College Accounting Advisory Committee, and the Hawaii Credit Union League.

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Mr. Tokishi will bring financial, real estate, and strategic planning experience to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

     Mr. Tokishi expressed through his personal statement that as a member of the Board of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, he would like to use his skills, experience, and unique perspective to improve the living situation and quality of life for Hawaii citizens who are residents in public housing.

     Your Committee finds that the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority needs directors with a variety of life experiences and professional expertise to effectively fulfill its role as a policy guide for the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.  Your Committee is confident that Mr. Tokishi's professional experience as a Certified Public Accountant and credit union executive would be extremely valuable to the Board.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of George Yokoyama from the Department of Human Services, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, and three individuals.

     Mr. Yokoyama received his Bachelor of Science degree from Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan.  He served as Executive Director of the Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council for almost thirty years.  In that capacity, he spearheaded the mobilization of public and private resources to develop employment and training programs, self-help housing projects, business development projects, and programs for underachieving students.  He was also a member of the Board of Commissioners of the predecessor agency to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, the Hawaii Housing Authority.

     Mr. Yokoyama has received awards for his leadership and advocacy in the community, including the United States Small Business Administration Research Advocate of the Year Award and the United States Small Business Administration Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year Award.  In 2003, he was inducted into The Grantsmanship Center's Hall of Fame.

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Mr. Yokoyama has spent most of his professional life working to promote health, education, and the general welfare of lower-income residents in Hawaii County.  Mr. Yokoyama's grant writing abilities have brought in millions of dollars to help alleviate poverty on the Island of Hawaii.  His character, knowledge, and commitment to serving others will be a tremendous asset to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

     Mr. Yokoyama indicated in his personal statement that he has spent the past forty years helping low-income individuals in Hawaii County.  He is able to offer innovative solutions to problems, mobilize resources, and strengthen public and private partnerships.  He is confident that he can make positive contributions to the Board of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and tenants of public housing.

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Yokoyama's past experience as a member and officer of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority's predecessor agency will be an invaluable perspective on the current state of public housing in Hawaii.  His experience as the executive director of a non-profit organization and community action agency will also be a tremendous asset to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that are 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 Human Services,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair