STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1667

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 558, 559

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 558 and 559, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Civil Rights Commission

 

G.M. No. 558

JOAN LEWIS,

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

 

G.M. No. 559

LIANN EBESUGAWA,

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 Joan Lewis and Liann Ebesugawa to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated for appointment to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission.

 

JOAN LEWIS

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Joan Lewis from the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission.

 

     Ms. Lewis currently serves as the Head of the English Language Department at Kapolei High School as well as the Lead English Teacher for the Ho‘ōla Leadership Academy at Kapolei High School.  She is a Kapolei Outstanding Achievement in Education Awardee in recognition of her work in supporting teachers during their first five years of teaching as well as a National Education Association Foundation Hawaii Awardee, California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence Honoree, and Pearson Foundation Global Learning Fellow.

 

     Ms. Lewis plays an active role with the Hawaii State Teachers' Association (HSTA).  As a trainer for HSTA, she provides training to teachers and community members on topics, such as poverty, local culture, traits of adolescents, learning styles, Moena Ha, and working with parents, that impact the relationship between student and teacher, and student success.  She previously served as the State Vice President of HSTA as well as the Chapter President for HSTA Leeward Chapter.  She has served as a Trustee of the Hawaii Education Association, Trust Chairperson of the HSTA Voluntary Employee Benefits Association, and Board Member of the Education Institute of Hawai‘i.

 

     According to written testimony submitted in support of Ms. Lewis' nomination for appointment, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Civil Rights Commission and has a demonstrated commitment to civil rights for the people of Hawaii.  Her background in education and unionized labor will add a valuable perspective to the work of the Commission.

 

LIANN EBESUGAWA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Liann Ebesugawa from the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission; Japanese American Citizens League, Honolulu Chapter; and seven individuals.

 

     Ms. Ebesugawa currently serves as the Associate General Counsel for Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., where she provides legal support to personnel and management from various process areas and advises personnel and management to obtain regulatory approval of various generation and distribution projects.  Of her previous positions, she most notably served as the Executive Director of the Hawaii State Board of Education, where she served in legal and administrative capacities for all matters before or involving the Board of Education.

 

     Ms. Ebesugawa has extensive community service experience, including currently serving as the Second Vice President of the Honolulu Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League's Board of Directors.  During her tenure as the League's past Board President, she addressed complex issues related to marriage equality, homelessness, Native Hawaiian self-determination, and many other civil rights issues that face the community.  She also currently serves as Vice President and Director for the Board of Directors of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and has extensive involvement with Aloha United Way.  She has co-authored several academic publications regarding privacy in the workplace, Japanese American redress, and racial discrimination.

 

     According to written testimony submitted in support of Ms. Ebesugawa's nomination for appointment, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Civil Rights Commission and has a demonstrated commitment to civil rights for the people of Hawaii.  Her work in the areas of law, business, government service, education, and civil rights advocacy will add valuable perspectives to the work of the Commission.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor 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 Judiciary and Labor,

 

 

 

________________________________

GILBERT S.C. KEITH-AGARAN, Chair