STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1685

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 724, 725, 726, 727

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 724, 725, 726, and 727, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Early Learning Advisory Board

 

G.M. No. 724

MARI UEHARA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2017;

 

G.M. No. 725

MARI UEHARA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 726

EDELUISA BAGUIO-LARENA,

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

 

G.M. No. 727

MAUREEN RAWLINS,

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 Mari Uehara, Edeluisa Baguio-Larena, and Maureen Rawlins to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated for appointment to the Early Learning Advisory Board.

 

MARI UEHARA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Mari Uehara from the Early Learning Advisory Board and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Uehara's experience as a pediatrician and her expertise in child development also qualify her to be nominated for appointment and reappointment to the Early Learning Advisory Board.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Uehara has practiced as a pediatrician in Japan and the United States since 1989, and has made significant contributions to the literature of pediatric medicine.  Dr. Uehara has been attending meetings of the Early Learning Advisory Board as a member of the public for the past year, and has demonstrated expertise and provided a valuable perspective on the issues considered by the Board.  Your Committee finds that Dr. Uehara's experience as a pediatrician and her understanding of children's development from a physical and social context will continue to be great assets to the Early Learning Advisory Board.

 

EDELUISA BAGUIO-LARENA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Edeluisa Baguio-Larena from the Department of Health and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Baguio-Larena's administrative experience and expertise in child development also qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Early Learning Advisory Board.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Baguio-Larena is the Chief Executive Officer of Maui Family Support Services, Inc., a non-profit agency serving Maui County.  In that capacity, she has supervised and supported staff providing home-based services to young children and their families, promoting a nurturing learning environment for children and facilitating healthy child development.  Ms. Baguio-Larena has also served Hawaii's vulnerable young children as a social worker, clinical supervisor, and program supervisor for the Maui Family Support Services Early Head Start program.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Baguio-Larena's extensive experience and commitment to the well-being of young children in Hawaii will be great assets to the Early Learning Advisory Board.

 

MAUREEN RAWLINS

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Maureen Rawlins from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Early Learning Advisory Board, ‘Aha Pūnana Leo, Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Native Hawaiian Education Council, and six individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Rawlins's extensive range of professional experiences in indigenous education and her dedication to community service also qualify her to be nominated for reappointment to the Early Learning Advisory Board.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Rawlins has been involved in the development of preschool to twelfth grade indigenous learning for over thirty years, and is the co-founder and Vice President of the National Coalition of Native American Language Schools and Programs.  Ms. Rawlins served as the Executive Director of the ‘Aha Pūnana Leo program for eighteen years, and is intimately familiar with the concerns and needs of Hawaiian language medium early learning providers.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Rawlins has served on the Early Learning Advisory Board since 2012, as the representative of Hawaiian Medium Early Learning Providers.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Rawlins' comprehensive expertise in indigenous education and commitment to the needs of Hawaii's children will continue to be great assets to the Early Learning Advisory Board.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Education 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 Education,

 

 

 

____________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair