STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3317

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 601, 602, 629

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 601, 602, and 629, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Reentry Commission

G.M. No. 601	BLAYNE HANAGAMI, for a term to expire 12-01-2019;
G.M. No. 602	TONI BISSEN, for a term to expire 12-01-2019; and
G.M. No. 629	KIMBERLY TAKATA, for a term to expire 12-01-2019,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Blayne Hanagami, Toni Bissen, and Kimberly Takata to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Reentry Commission.

BLAYNE HANAGAMI

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Blayne Hanagami from the Department of Public Safety.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Hanagami's experience and proven commitment to public service qualify him for nomination to the Reentry Commission.  Mr. Hanagami has worked for nearly forty years as a workforce development specialist and branch manager at the Workforce Development Division office in Hilo, during which time he has repeatedly demonstrated his guidance and leadership skills.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Hanagami has an extensive history of working with economically disadvantaged populations, including ex-offenders and those currently incarcerated.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Hanagami's experience, managerial and leadership skills, and dedication to public service will be great assets to the Reentry Commission.

TONI BISSEN

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Toni Bissen from the Department of Public Safety, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Bissen's experience and expertise at implementing rehabilitation and reentry programs qualify her for nomination to the Reentry Commission.  Ms. Bissen is currently the executive director of the Pū‘ā Foundation, which has pioneered efforts to implement methodologies of trauma-informed care in Hawaii's criminal justice system.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Bissen has dedicated much of her career to helping criminal offenders, especially Native Hawaiian women, heal the societal, communal, and intrapersonal trauma that causes, and is caused by, offense and incarceration.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Bissen's extensive experience working in the areas of reentry and transition from incarceration will be a great asset to the Reentry Commission.

KIMBERLY TAKATA

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Kimberly Takata from the Department of Public Safety.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Takata's experiences as a former inmate who has made a successful transition out of incarceration, her leadership skills, and her commitment to reducing recidivism qualify her for nomination to the Reentry Commission.  Ms. Takata has direct experience with the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems, and following her incarceration, she has been heavily involved with organizations dedicated to reducing the risk of young people entering incarceration and helping incarcerated persons transition back into society.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Takata has a unique perspective on what is required for a successful transition from incarceration and reentry into society.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Takata's experiences, unique perspective, and skills will be great assets to the Reentry Commission.

     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,

____________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair