SSCR828

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 828

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 583, 584

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 583 and 584, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Hawai'i Paroling Authority

G.M. No. 583

ANNELLE AMARAL,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015; and

G.M. No. 584

FITUINA TUA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2016,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements by the nominees and finds Annelle Amaral and Fituina Tua to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Hawaii Paroling Authority.

ANNELLE AMARAL

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Annelle Amaral from the Department of Public Safety; Hawaii Paroling Authority; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Military Affairs Department, Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii; Indigenous Consultants, LLC; Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs; Kuakini Hawaiian Civic Club of Kona; Maunalua Hawaiian Civic Club; Kalaeloa Heritage and Legacy Foundation; and eight individuals.

Ms. Amaral received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Dayton.

Ms. Amaral currently works as the Native Hawaiian Liaison to the Garrison Commander of the United States Army and is currently a member of the Hawaii State Judicial Selection Commission; Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Oahu Council; and Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.

Prior to serving in her current position as an Army liaison, Ms. Amaral was the Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of Hawaii. Ms. Amaral also worked as the Domestic Violence Special Projects Coordinator for the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Coordinator for the Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Private Investigator for Corniel & Associates, and consultant to several community and nonprofit organizations.

As a legislator for the State House of Representatives from 1988 to 1996, Ms. Amaral served as the Majority Floor Leader, Vice Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Vice Chair of the Housing Committee, and Chair of the Women's Legislative Caucus.

Ms. Amaral has received numerous awards and accolades, including Women's History Month Honoree, U.S. Army Installation Management Command Public Affairs Award, Patsy T. Mink Award of Excellence, Mayor's Award for Everyday Hero, Hawaii Women Lawyers' Community Service Award, Native Hawaiian Business Association's Lei Hulu Mamo Lifetime Achievement Award, and Association of Hawaiian Civic Club's Outstanding Hawaiian Community Leader.

Ms. Amaral expressed that she gained valuable experience early on in her career as one of the first women who were able to serve as police officers in the Honolulu Police Department. As a beat cop, she handled all types of criminal investigations and when she transferred to the Community Relations Division of the Honolulu Police Department, she developed the Rape Prevention Program and spoke to over 30,000 people about rape prevention and self-defense.

Considering Ms. Amaral's extensive professional experience, beginning with the Honolulu Police Department and through her work with the Legislature and the armed forces, your Committee finds that she will bring a wealth of experience to the Hawaii Paroling Authority.

FITUINA TUA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for Fituina Tua from the Department of Public Safety, Hawaii Paroling Authority, United Public Workers, Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, and twenty-one individuals.

Mr. Tua received a Master of Science degree from the John W. McCormack Institute of Public Policy/Affairs (currently known as the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies) at the University of Massachusetts. Mr. Tua received a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice (Law Enforcement) with a minor degree in Business from San Jose State University.

Mr. Tua currently serves as a Special Offender Specialist at the United States District Court, District of Hawaii, where he supervises high risk offenders in the community. In this position, Mr. Tua provides case management, supervision, investigation, and risk assessments. He also files reports with federal District Court judges concerning the adjustment of offenders on supervision, sentencing recommendations, and revocation actions.

Prior to his current federal law enforcement position, Mr. Tua served as the Chief Court Officer and Juvenile Probation Officer at the Quincy District Court and Family Court, respectively, in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Tua also worked as a Business Agent for the United Public Workers Union.

Mr. Tua expressed to your Committee that he wishes to use his thirty years of professional experience in the criminal justice system to serve the people of Hawaii. Mr. Tua believes in proper intervention and sentencing to minimize the number of individuals incarcerated while maximizing community safety.

Your Committee finds that Mr. Tua's integrity, passion, and strong work experience will ensure his continued success working toward improving the lives of individuals in the criminal justice system.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs 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 Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair