SSCR899

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 899

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 549, 640, 641, 642

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 549, 640, 641, and 642, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Maui Service Area Board

G.M. No. 549	CHIREE SOUZA, for a term to expire 6-30-2016;
G.M. No. 640	LUCAS BRUNO, for a term to expire 6-30-2014;
G.M. No. 641	PETER GONZALEZ, for a term to expire 6-30-2015; and
G.M. No. 642	KARIN PHANEUF, for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories and statements by the nominees and finds Chiree Souza, Lucas Bruno, Peter Gonzalez, and Karin Phaneuf to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Maui Service Area Board.

CHIREE SOUZA

Your Committee received testimony in support of Chiree Souza from the Department of Health.

Ms. Souza currently works with special education students on Maui. She has been an active participant during her interim appointment on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Maui Service Area Board. She recently participated in a "Bus Survey" that required her to ride the bus in order to better understand the challenges of Maui's bus ridership. Findings from this survey prompted a meeting with the Mayor of Maui's representative to work on improvements to the bus system.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Souza's commitment to the mission of the Board will enable her to continue advocating for the people in her community.

LUCAS BRUNO

Mr. Bruno is a seasoned clinician who works closely with persons living with mental illness. He is currently a probation officer and social worker. Mr. Bruno brings practical experience to the Board with his awareness of the needs of the community.

Your Committee finds that Mr. Bruno's understanding of the needs of the community and the realistic solutions that he seeks on a daily basis through working with consumers will be an asset to the Board.

PETER GONZALEZ

Mr. Gonzalez is a passionate mental health advocate for the island of Molokai. In the past, he served as the Maui Service Area Board representative on the State Council on Mental Health for several months. While on the State Council, Mr. Gonzalez expanded his understanding and education about mental illness by attending several conferences and sharing his knowledge with other consumers on Molokai. Also, Mr. Gonzalez's own experiences in living with mental illness bring the consumer perspective to the Board.

Your Committee finds that Mr. Gonzalez's past experiences on the State Council on Mental Health, as well as his continuing commitment to issues relating to mental health, will be great assets to the Board.

KARIN PHANEUF

Ms. Phaneuf is the current Chair of the Maui Service Area Board and has been on the Board for four years. Her enthusiasm and experience in working with incarcerated, homeless, and disabled persons has provided opportunities for the Board to collaborate with other agencies for improved service delivery to Maui. She is highly respected by Board members and the Maui community.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Phaneuf's past experience, as well as her continuing commitment to issues relating to homelessness and individuals with disabilities, will be great assets to the Board.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Health 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 Health,

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair