STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1628

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 699, 700

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. 699 and 700, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Emergency Medical Services Advisory Commission

G.M. No. 699	ELIZABETH CHAR, for a term to expire 06-30-2021; and
G.M. No. 700	ALAN KIMURA, 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 Elizabeth Char and Alan Kimura to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated for reappointment to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Commission.

ELIZABETH CHAR

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Elizabeth Char from the Department of Health, American Medical Response, and three individuals.

     Dr. Char is currently a physician with The Queen's Health Care Centers, Medical Director for American Medical Response Hawaii, and Medical Director for the Honolulu and Kauai Fire Departments.  Your Committee finds that Dr. Char has twenty years of experience as an emergency physician and has focused her career on pre-hospital emergency care.  Dr. Char previously served as Director of the Emergency Services Department for the City and County of Honolulu and as the Director of Medical Education for the Emergency Department at The Queen's Medical Center.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Char is involved in numerous community activities, serving as Chair of the Oahu Board of Directors of the American Heart Association and as a member of the Hawaii Stroke Task Force and Hawaii Trauma Advisory Committee.  Dr. Char is the current Chair of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Commission and has been a member since 2012.  Your Committee finds that Dr. Char's extensive experience in emergency medicine, efforts to make the Commission interactive and collaborative, and deep commitment to public service qualify her for reappointment to the Commission.

ALAN KIMURA

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Alan Kimura from the Department of Health, American Medical Response, and one individual.

     Mr. Kimura previously served the State Health Planning and Development Agency for eight years.  In his personal statement, Mr. Kimura indicated that he hopes to educate consumers about changes and new procedures because the medical field is always evolving.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Kimura is an active member of his community, serving as a coach for a multitude of sports for ten years.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Kimura has served as a member of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Commission since 2012 and has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of commission members.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Kimura's knowledge, experience, and community involvement qualify him for reappointment to the Commission.

     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