STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1672

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 772, 773, 774, 775, 776, 777

 

 

 

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. 772, 773, 774, 775, 776, and 777, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

 

Board of Education

 

G.M. No. 772

BRIAN DE LIMA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2017;

 

G.M. No. 773

BRIAN DE LIMA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 774

KENNETH UEMURA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 775

CHRISTINE NAMAU'U,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 776

NOLAN KAWANO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2017; and

 

G.M. No. 777

NOLAN KAWANO,

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 Brian De Lima, Kenneth Uemura, Christine Namau‘u, and Nolan Kawano to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Education.

 

BRIAN DE LIMA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Brian De Lima from the Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Hui for Excellence in Education, and seven individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. De Lima's extensive legislative and litigation experience, consistent strong advocacy for high-needs students, and history of dedicated service to all of Hawaii's students also qualify him to be nominated for appointment and reappointment to the Board of Education.  Your Committee notes that Mr. De Lima has demonstrated a commitment to providing services to those least able to afford services, and that he continues to provide pro bono legal services for family law clients and participates in the Hawaii Lawyers Care family law clinics.  Your Committee further notes that Mr. De Lima has served on the Board of Education since 2010, and that the Board has benefitted from his expertise and perspective, as well as his ability to recognize and address problems within the Hawaii public school system, such as chronic absenteeism.  Your Committee finds that Mr. De Lima's expertise and his commitment to the needs of Hawaii's students will continue to be great assets to the Board of Education.

 

KENNETH UEMURA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Kenneth Uemura from the Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs; Hui for Excellence in Education; Continental Mechanical of the Pacific; Benefits International, Inc.; and thirty-two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Uemura's extensive leadership experience in Hawaii's business and public service communities also qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the Board of Education.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Uemura has been publicly recognized for excellence throughout his professional career, particularly in his previous role as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hawai‘i Pacific University.  Mr. Uemura also has a long history of dedicated service on non-profit boards and community organizations.  Your Committee further notes that Mr. Uemura is currently serving on the Board of Education, and that the Board has benefitted from his professional leadership experience.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Uemura's expertise and his commitment to the needs of Hawaii's students will continue to be great assets to the Board of Education.

 

CHRISTINE NAMAU'U

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Christine Namau‘u from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Early Childhood Associate Degree Program of the University of Hawaii Maui College; Hui No Ke Ola Pono; ‘Aha Kauleo, Aha Pūnana Leo; Native Hawaiian Education Council; Hui for Excellence in Education; Nā Leo Pūlama o Maui, Inc.; Papa Ola Lokahi; and thirty-four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Namau‘u's extensive education and administrative experience also qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Education.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Namau‘u has served for the past twenty-five years as the Director of Pūnana Leo o Maui, one of the preschools in the statewide ‘Aha Pūnana Leo program.  Ms. Namau‘u also serves as a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, and the community member of the School Community Council for King Kekaulike High School.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Namau‘u's expertise in education and commitment to the needs of Hawaii's students will be great assets to the Board of Education.

 

NOLAN KAWANO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Nolan Kawano from the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hui for Excellence in Education, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142, Center for Tomorrow's Leaders, and six individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Kawano's extensive business and educational service experience also qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the Board of Education.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Kawano has been active since 2005 within the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation, which provides public school teachers in Hawaii with Good Idea Grants for materials and supplies used to engage, excite, and educate students, including serving as the Foundation's president from 2009 to 2014.  Mr. Kawano has also served as Director and Treasurer of Hawaii 3R's, which works to repair, remodel, and restore public schools in Hawaii, since 2011.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Kawano's expertise and dedication to the needs of Hawaii's students will continue to be great assets to the Board of Education.

 

     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