STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1636

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 644, 645, 646, 647

 

 

 

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. 644, 645, 646, and 647, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Disability and Communication Access Board

 

G.M. No. 644

BRYANT YABUI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021;

 

G.M. No. 645

SUMMER KOZAI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021;

 

G.M. No. 646

PHYLLIS MEIGHEN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2018; and

 

G.M. No. 647

ROSANNA DANIEL-KANETAKE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2018,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Bryant Yabui, Summer Kozai, Phyllis Meighen, and Rosanna Daniel-Kanetake to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Disability and Communication Access Board.

 

BRYANT YABUI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Bryant Yabui for reappointment from the Disability and Communication Access Board and two individuals.

 

     Mr. Yabui currently works as a Contracting and Procurement Specialist for the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, where he coordinates procurement activities and is involved with program analysis and development of procurement strategies for technical and complex purchases.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Yabui was previously an Intake Advocate and Attorney for the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, where he worked with physically, mentally, and developmentally disabled clients.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Yabui's past public service includes working with the Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Hawaii, and Pew Civic Entrepreneur Initiative.  In his personal statement, Mr. Yabui indicated that as an individual in a wheelchair, he hopes to improve the disabled parking system in Hawaii.  Mr. Yabui is currently an active member of the Disability and Communication Access Board, serving as its Vice Chairperson.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Yabui's personal experience, professional history, and commitment to public service qualify him for reappointment to the Board.

 

SUMMER KOZAI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Summer Kozai for reappointment from the Disability and Communication Access Board and four individuals.

 

     Ms. Kozai is presently a Senior Auditor for the United States Department of Defense Contract Audit Agency, a role that requires Ms. Kozai to plan and perform high-dollar and high-risk audits in accordance with federal standards.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Kozai previously worked as an Associate at Grant Thornton, LLP, and has experience in leadership as well as public speaking roles.  In her personal statement, Ms. Kozai indicated 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 notes that Ms. Kozai has served on the Disability and Communication Access Board for the last year and has been providing valuable input on issues relating to service animals.  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, qualify her for reappointment to the Board.

 

PHYLLIS MEIGHEN

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Phyllis Meighen for appointment from the Disability and Communication Access Board.

 

     Dr. Meighen is a Senior Pastor of Lihue United Church on Kauai as well as Director and Clergy for Adult Formation at ReSource for Christian Spirituality.  Your Committee finds that Dr. Meighen is the guardian to her disabled brother, who lives in a state adult foster home, and she also has many years of professional experience in the field of disabilities studies.  Dr. Meighen founded an organization that improves employment options for individuals with intellectual disabilities, worked for the State Planning Council for Development Disabilities, and taught at the University of Hawaii's Center for Disability Studies.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Meighen is dedicated to public service, as evidenced by her membership on the Woman's Board of Missions of the Pacific Islands and Kauai Association UCC, and prior involvement with the Winners at Work Board of Advisors and Family Support 360 Advisory Council at the University of Hawaii's Center for Disability Studies.  Your Committee finds that Dr. Meighen's personal and professional experience, as well as her commitment to serving the community, will be valuable assets to the Board.

 

ROSANNA DANIEL-KANETAKE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Rosanna Daniel-Kanetake for appointment from the Disability and Communication Access Board and two individuals.

 

     Ms. Daniel-Kanetake is an Independent Living Service Coordinator for Access to Independence, where she assists consumers with disabilities with becoming independent in the community.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Daniel-Kanetake has worked in various human services fields for over twenty years, including the areas of child mental health, homelessness, and child protective services.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Daniel-Kanetake is actively involved in the community, as a Board member for Hawaii Fi-Do Service Dogs, participant in Hawaii's Police Department ICE Task Force, member of the Board of Directors for Waimanalo Job Corp, and a certified instructor for crisis prevention and intervention.  As an individual with a mobility disability, Ms. Daniel-Kanetake indicated in her personal statement that she hopes to enhance the lives of persons with disabilities who strive to be contributing community members.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Daniel-Kanetake's background, human services experience, and commitment to public service will be great assets to the 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