STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2471

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 530, 531, 532

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 530, 531, and 532, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs

G.M. No. 530	JOHN A.H. TOMOSO, for a term to expire 6-30-2016;
G.M. No. 531	VALORIE TAYLOR, for a term to expire 6-30-2014; and
G.M. No. 532	JOY MIYASAKI, for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds John A.H. Tomoso, Valorie Taylor, and Joy Miyasaki to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of John A.H. Tomoso from the Executive Office on Aging, Department of Health; the Department of Housing and Human Concerns, Maui County Office on Aging, County of Maui; the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs; the Hawaii Government Employees Association; the Hawai‘i Public Health Association; Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce; Papa Ola Lokahi; and four individuals.

     Mr. Tomoso has extensive knowledge and experience in the public and nonprofit sectors as a social worker, administrator, grants specialist, and probation officer, to name a few of his professional experiences.  He is currently the Executive Director of Hui No Ke Ola Pono, Inc. in Wailuku, Maui.  He was also the Executive on Aging for the Maui County Office on Aging, a position he held for eight years.  He has a Master's degree in Social Work from the School of Social Work at the University of Hawaii and has demonstrated his commitment to kupuna through his professional career and affiliations.

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Mr. Tomoso is highly committed to serving the needs of the community and more specifically, the elderly.  He demonstrates a keen awareness of the needs of Maui County kupuna and exhibits the ability to effectively communicate those needs.

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Tomoso resides on the island of Maui, thus ensuring broader representation and perspectives on the Board.  The neighbor island perspective that Mr. Tomoso provides is crucial to ensure that the direction of the Board encompasses the needs of all islands.  His passion to make a positive contribution as demonstrated by his appointment to and service on numerous boards and commissions is a testament to his commitment to the work of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Valorie Taylor from the Executive Office on Aging, Department of Health; AARP; the Alzheimer's Association, Aloha Chapter; the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs; Catholic Charities Hawai‘i; Child & Family Service; Moiliili Community Center; and eight individuals.

     Ms. Taylor is presently the Gerontology Program Director at Child and Family Service where she manages six programs and approximately 50 staff and volunteers providing services to approximately 1,500 seniors.  Previously, Ms. Taylor was the Director of Assisted Living and Memory Support at Hi‘olani Assisted Living at Kahala Nui, and she has held multiple leadership and managerial positions in residential care facilities in Hawaii.  She has also held positions on various boards, coalitions, and task forces focused on health and social services.  Ms. Taylor earned an Associate's degree in Liberal Arts from the Niagara County Community College, a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Buffalo State College, and completed a semester in the Master's in Social Work program at the University of Hawaii.

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Ms. Taylor has a great understanding of issues faced by individuals with disabilities.  Her experience as a front-line professional working with older adults and their families and her understanding of the impact of public policy in shaping long-term care services and supports make her an ideal candidate who is well-qualified to serve on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

     Ms. Taylor indicated from her personal statement that her life and professional experiences have given her the qualifications to serve on the Board.  Having worked closely with others in the aging network, she understands the place the Executive Office on Aging and the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs has in leading Hawaii to best provide services to Hawaii's kupuna.  As Hawaii's elderly population continues to grow, the Office and the Board will play a vital role not only in providing direction but also in ensuring the quality of the services provided.  Given this, she is committed to being a part of the team heading in that direction.

     Your Committee is confident that Ms. Taylor's knowledge and expertise combined with her ability to clearly articulate information makes her a highly valued resource on senior issues.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Joy Miyasaki from the Executive Office on Aging of the Department of Health, the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, and seven individuals.

     Ms. Miyasaki is an attorney with extensive experience in all aspects of estate planning and trust and estate administration.  She earned a Bachelor's degree and Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University.  She assists clients in the formation of tax-exempt organizations and provides ongoing representation to tax-exempt organizations.  She teaches estate planning as an adjunct faculty member at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii and was selected as an Adjunct Professor of the Year in 2008.

     Ms. Miyasaki continues to demonstrate her commitment to and excellence in the legal profession and the field of estate planning.  She is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Hawaii Super Lawyers.  She is affiliated with numerous legal organizations, holding positions such as Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Member of the Editorial Board of the Practical Lawyer magazine, Member of the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Women's Legal Foundation, Member of the Disciplinary Board of the Hawaii Supreme Court, Member of the Hawaii Estate Planning Council, and Member of the Advisory Council for Project Dana.

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Ms. Miyasaki possesses a great deal of knowledge with regards to senior issues, especially in the area of protecting their finances and estates.  Her skills and expertise are invaluable to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs as the issue of protecting the assets and finances of seniors becomes a more prevalent issue.

     Your Committee believes that Ms. Miyasaki's dedication and leadership skills coupled with her knowledge in the area of trusts and estates make her uniquely qualified to serve on the Board.  The Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs will greatly benefit from her appointment.

     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