HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE

INTERIM OF 2011

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Rep. John M. Mizuno, Chair

Rep. Jo Jordan, Vice Chair

Rep. Della Au Belatti	Rep. Jessica Wooley
Rep. Faye P. Hanohano	Rep. Ryan I. Yamane
Rep. Chris Lee	Rep. Corinne W.L. Ching
Rep. Dee Morikawa	Rep. Kymberly Marcos Pine

NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING

DATE:	Tuesday, June 21, 2011
TIME:	11:35 a.m.
PLACE:	Conference Room 329 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A

The purpose of  this informational briefing is to review the issue of domestic violence in our community and the state's system of dealing with victims of domestic violence.  At the conclusion of the briefing, the Chair of Human Services will highlight several solutions obtained through the briefing, in the form of bill proposals or administrative policy changes, to better address domestic violence in Hawaii.

HISTORY

The past month has been a particularly deadly one for domestic violence victims in Hawaii.  On May 23rd a Bellevue, Washington woman, Susan Brockert, 44, had her vacation and life cut short on the Big Island, she died of multiple blunt and sharp force trauma to her head and neck, allegedly from her boyfriend, Philip Zimmerman, 46. She died at a Kohala Coast Resort.  On May 11th a Kalihi mother, Teresita Hernane, was stabbed to death with a kitchen knife allegedly by her 27 year-old adopted son, Charlie.  Just nine days earlier on May 2nd, a 79 year-old Del Monte Cannery retiree - Glenwood Ferreira – was severely beaten and died from the injuries he sustained allegedly from his 18 year-old grandson, David Hernandez III.

Invited to testify at this briefing are Sheri G. and her story of losing her 5-year old daughter to her ex-husband, Paige C. and her story on losing her 12-year old son to her ex-husband who is now on the run, Tiffinie W. and her story of losing her 2 yr. old son, and Mahtab T. and her story of losing her daughter to her ex-husband.  All of the foregoing mothers will disclose concerns with the current system in handling their cases and all assert domestic abuse by their ex-husbands.

In addition, the following organizations or individuals have been invited to participate in this briefing:

Department of Human Services, Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility

Department of Human Services, Child Protective Services & Child Welfare Branch

Dara Carlin, Executive Director of Breaking the Silence (Advocacy Agency for Domestic Violence Victims)

Edwin Flores, Executive Director of Hawaii Family Law Clinic, DBA, Ala Kuola

Parents for Righteousness

Agencies and faith based organizations which receive state funding for victims of domestic violence.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the informational briefing  (i.e., sign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at 586-6050 to make a request for arrangements at least 24 hours prior to the briefing.  Prompt requests help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.

For further information, please call the Committee Clerk at 586-6050.

Only testimony from people on the testifiers list will be accepted.

Persons on the testifiers list wishing to offer comments should submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing with a transmittal cover indicating:

· Testifier's name with position/title and organization;

· The Committee the comments are directed to;

· The date and time of the hearing;

· Measure number; and

· The number of copies the Committee is requesting. 

While every effort will be made to copy, organize, and collate all testimony received, materials received on the day of the hearing or improperly identified or directed to the incorrect office, may be distributed to the Committee after the hearing.

Submit testimony in ONE of the following ways:

PAPER: One copy (including an original) to Room 315 in the State Capitol;

FAX:     For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to 586-8524 (Oahu) or 1-800-535-3859 (Neighbor Islands); or

EMAIL: For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to HUStestimony@Capitol.hawaii.gov.

Testimony submitted will be placed on the Legislative Web site after the hearing adjourns.  This public posting of testimony on the Web site should be considered when including personal information in your testimony.

__________________________________

Rep. John M. Mizuno

Chair

APPROVED

__________________________________

Rep. Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker of the House