STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1321

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 530, 531

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 530 and 531, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Policy Advisory Board For Elder Affairs

G.M. No. 530	BARBARA YAMASHITA, for a term to expire 06-30-2020; and
G.M. No. 531	COLETTE BROWNE, 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 Barbara Yamashita and Colette Browne to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

BARBARA YAMASHITA

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Barbara Yamashita from the Executive Office on Aging, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and seven individuals.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Yamashita's knowledge, background, and demonstrated leadership building community partnerships and raising awareness to promote family wellness qualify her to serve on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Prior to retirement, Ms. Yamashita served as the Deputy Director of the Department of Community Services of the City and County of Honolulu, which houses the Elderly Affairs Division.  Ms. Yamashita also spent years working at the Department of Health in various positions and at the Department of Human Services, where her responsibilities included Adult Protective Services and the Senior Grandparent and Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Yamashita has experience as a hospital administrator and was employed for many years in the public health sector.  Among other positions, Ms. Yamashita has served as a Board Member of the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors and a member of the State Health Planning and Development Agency Area Council.  Your Committee therefore finds that Ms. Yamashita is qualified to serve on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs based on her background, experience, and commitment to fostering healthy and productive aging.

COLETTE BROWNE

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Colette Browne from the Executive Office on Aging, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, AARP Hawaii, and two individuals.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Browne's experience and extensive professional history in the field of gerontology qualify her to serve on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Dr. Browne has been a professor at the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work at the University of Hawaii for over thirty years, is Chair of the Gerontology Program, and has served as Interim Director of the University of Hawaii Center on Aging.  Dr. Browne has conducted numerous research studies and published extensively on issues faced by older adults, focusing on areas including aging among minority groups, social policy and aging, and long-term care.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Browne has received many honors, including for her work as principal investigator of the Ha Kupuna Program, which strives to improve the health and increase the life expectancy of Native Hawaiian elders.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Browne previously served on the Policy Advisory Board for over fifteen years, and thus has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members.  Your Committee therefore finds that Dr. Browne is qualified to serve on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs based on her knowledge, experience, and clear dedication to gerontology, social work, and public health.

     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