SSCR3644

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3644

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 826, 827

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. 826 and 827, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Mental Health And Substance Abuse, Maui Service Area Board

G.M. No. 826

ALFRED ARENSDORF,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020; and

G.M. No. 827

CHIREE SOUZA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Alfred Arensdorf and Chiree Souza to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Maui Service Area Board.

ALFRED ARENSDORF

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Alfred Arensdorf from the Department of Health and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that Dr. Arensdorf is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who has practiced in California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Washington, and Vietnam and prior to retirement, served as the Medical Director in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health. Dr. Arensdorf continues to serve as a Clinical Professor in the John A. Burns School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. According to testimony, Dr. Arensdorf is dedicated to the wellness of Hawaii's children and continues to be a champion for children and adult mental health, consumers, and providers. Dr. Arensdorf continues to be active in the community, serving as a Member of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Maui Service Area Board, since 2012. In his personal statement, Dr. Arensdorf indicated that he hopes to further identify problematic policies, decisions, and practices that affect consumers and their access to effective services. Your Committee therefore finds that Dr. Arensdorf's background in child and adolescent mental health, as well as his willingness to serve the public, will continue to be great assets to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Maui Service Area Board.

CHIREE SOUZA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Chiree Souza from the Department of Health and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Souza is presently a Paraprofessional and Educational Assistant with the Department of Education's Special Education Department, working with students with special needs. Ms. Souza has served on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Maui Service Area Board since 2013 and, according to testimony, enjoys being a Member of the Board, seeing it as an opportunity to advocate for others who cannot advocate for themselves. As a leader, Ms. Souza has the ability to communicate with people from a wide range of ages and often demonstrates her compassion for others. In her personal statement, Ms. Souza indicated that having worked with special needs students for sixteen years, she hopes to keep students and consumers aware of the services within the community and continue to help individuals with special needs to live a comfortable life. Your Committee therefore finds that Ms. Souza's experience as an educator and leader, passion for advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves, and her dedication to public service will continue to be great assets to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Maui Service Area 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