STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1624

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 735, 736, 737, 738, 739

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 735, 736, 737, 738, and 739, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Rehabilitation Council

 

G.M. No. 735

DEBORAH KOBAYAKAWA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 736

SCOTT NISHIMOTO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021;

 

G.M. No. 737

CHRISTINA PASCUA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 738

DIANE TERADA,

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

 

G.M. No. 739

CHRISTINA TYDEMAN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and personal statements submitted by the nominees and finds Deborah Kobayakawa, Scott Nishimoto, Christina Pascua, Diane Terada, and Christina Tydeman to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the State Rehabilitation Council.

 

DEBORAH KOBAYAKAWA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Deborah Kobayakawa from one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Kobayakawa's professional and personal experiences also qualify her to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council.  Ms. Kobayakawa is presently employed at Heart to Heart Parent Consulting and Goodwill Industries of Hawaii.  She has also been employed at the Learning Disabilities Association of Hawaii, Queen Lili‘uokalani School, Heeia Elementary School, and Holualoa Elementary School.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Kobayakawa is active in the community as a Parent Volunteer for the Learning Disabilities Association of Hawaii, Member of the Windward Community Children's Council, and Special Olympics Hawaii Windward Area Ohana Task Force Coordinator.  Ms. Kobayakawa indicated in her personal statement that, if appointed, she hopes to collaborate with other state agencies that support the disability community to identify some of the obstacles and challenges that individuals with disabilities face when seeking employment.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Kobayakawa be appointed to the State Rehabilitation Council based on her professional experience and willingness to serve the community.

 

SCOTT NISHIMOTO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Scott Nishimoto from one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Nishimoto's professional experience qualifies him to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council.  Mr. Nishimoto is presently the Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Relations for Abilities Unlimited, which focuses on providing community-based services for individuals with disabilities.  His duties include managing various programs, engaging the community in supporting individuals with disabilities, and partnering with various for-profit and non‑profit organizations.  Mr. Nishimoto received a Juris Doctorate from the William S. Richardson School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Upon review of the testimony, Mr. Nishimoto demonstrates his high vested interest in ensuring the betterment of those in the community around him through his involvement in various community service organizations.  Your Committee therefore recommends Mr. Nishimoto be appointed to the State Rehabilitation Council based on his professional experience and dedication to public service.

 

CHRISTINA PASCUA

 

     Your Committee received no testimony on this nominee.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Pascua's professional background in education qualifies her to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council.  Ms. Pascua is presently a Care Coordinator at Kapolei High School, where she, among other things, reviews, renews, and creates individualized educational plans and conducts individualized educational plan meetings annually for every student on caseload.  In the past, Ms. Pascua served as a Transition Coordinator at Kapolei High School and Employment/Education Counselor and Direct Support Worker for Winners at Work.  Ms. Pascua is active in the community as a motivational speaker at various school, company, and organization events.  Your Committee therefore recommends Ms. Pascua be appointed to the State Rehabilitation Council based on her passion as an educator and commitment to serving the community.

 

DIANE TERADA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Diane Terada from Catholic Charities Hawai‘i.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Terada's knowledge on the needs and strengths of elders and persons with disabilities also qualify her to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council.  Ms. Terada is presently the Division Administrator at Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, overseeing the Community and Senior Services Division.  She has also served as the Executive Director at Hawaii Meals on Wheels, Inc., and Program Director at Catholic Charities Hawai‘i.  Ms. Terada earned a Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and is a licensed social worker in the State.  Ms. Terada is active in the community as she serves on the No Wrong Door Advisory Committee and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and Academy of Certified Social Workers.  Your Committee therefore recommends Ms. Terada be appointed to the State Rehabilitation Council based on her professional expertise, as well as her willingness to serve the community.

 

CHRISTINA TYDEMAN

 

     Your Committee received no testimony on this nominee.

 

     Your Committee finds that Dr. Tydeman's experience as an educator working with students with a variety of special needs qualifies her to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council.  Dr. Tydeman is presently the Director of the Department of Education's Monitoring, Accountability, and Compliance Office, where, among other duties, she serves as the State Director of Special Education.  In the past, Dr. Tydeman served as the Associate Dean of Accreditation for the School of Education and Counseling Psychology and Director of the teacher preparation program at Dominican University of California.  Dr. Tydeman earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology from the University of Hawaii, a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Dominican College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Drama from California State University, Chino.  Your Committee therefore recommends Dr. Tydeman be appointed to the State Rehabilitation Council based on her professional background as an educator, as well as her demonstration of leadership and organizational managements skills.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair