STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3629

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 774, 780

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. 774 and 780, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Disability And Communication Access Board

G.M. No. 774	MONTY ANDERSON-NITAHARA, for a term to expire 06-30-2020; and
G.M. No. 780	SUMMER KOZAI, for a term to expire 06-30-2017,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Monty Anderson-Nitahara and Summer Kozai to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Disability and Communication Access Board.

MONTY ANDERSON-NITAHARA

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Monty Anderson-Nitahara from the Disability and Communication Access Board.

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Anderson-Nitahara is presently a Paralegal at the Office of Disciplinary Counsel and has past work experience as a Legal Specialist in the Office of General Counsel for the United States Navy at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and General Manager, Program Director, and Radio Personality for KTUH FM Honolulu.  Mr. Anderson-Nitahara indicated in his personal statement that based on his background in law, which includes work related to the federal Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act, he hopes to facilitate change in awareness and policies, aid in helping others gain a clearer understanding of issues facing individuals with disabilities, and improve access for individuals with disabilities.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Anderson-Nitahara's background in law, as well as his willingness to serve the public, will be great assets to the Disability and Communication Access Board.

SUMMER KOZAI

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Summer Kozai from the Disability and Communication Access Board and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Kozai is presently a Senior Auditor for the United States Department of Defense Contract Audit Agency and has previous work experience as an Associate at Grant Thornton, LLP.  According to testimony, Ms. Kozai participated on a panel hosted by the Disability and Communication Access Board at the 2016 State Department of Transportation's Civil Rights Symposium.  Ms. Kozai indicated in her personal statement that she hopes to see tangible improvement in access for mobility-challenged persons and increased understanding of the role of service animals in the community.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Kozai's experiences as an active member of the community and workforce as a mobility-impaired person with a service animal, as well as her professional background, will be great assets to the Disability and Communication Access Board.

     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