STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2823

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 560, 561

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 560 and 561, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Disability and Communication Access Board

G.M. No. 560	COLIN WHITED, for a term to expire 06-30-2019; and
G.M. No. 561	WILLIAM BOW, for a term to expire 06-30-2019,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Colin Whited and William Bow to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Disability and Communication Access Board.

COLIN WHITED

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Colin Whited from the Disability and Communication Access Board and one individual.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Whited's background and dedication to serving the community qualify him for appointment to the Disability and Communication Access Board.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Whited is presently a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Project Specialist at the Pacific Disabilities Center of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, where he focuses on planning and projects to enhance the deaf and hard of hearing community.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Whited has been involved with several organizations at the local level, including the Aloha State Association of the Deaf, Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind School Community Council, and Georgia E. Morikawa Center, and has served on the Disability and Community Access Board as an interim appointment since November 2015.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Whited be appointed to the Disability and Communication Access Board based on his experience, interest in disability access laws, and dedication to public service.

WILLIAM BOW

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of William Bow from the Disability and Communication Access Board and three individuals.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Bow's experience, willingness to serve the community, and background qualify him for appointment to the Disability and Communication Access Board.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Bow is presently the President of Bow Engineering and Development, Inc., and has been practicing as a licensed civil engineer for forty years.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Bow has designed many projects that require knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines, including projects at Waiakea Boat Launch, Port Allen Small Boat Harbor, and Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor, and has served on the Disability and Communication Access Board as an interim appointment since November 2015.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Bow be appointed to the Disability and Communication Access Board based on his knowledge of engineering, experience, and dedication to public service.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and 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 Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair