SSCR1653

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1653

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 799, 800

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. 799 and 800, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee

G.M. No. 799

RONALD KURODA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021; and

G.M. No. 800

RALPH YAWATA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Ronald Kuroda and Ralph Yawata to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated for reappointment to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

RONALD KURODA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Ronald Kuroda for reappointment from the Department of Health and one individual.

Dr. Kuroda is currently an Attending Physician of Emergency Medicine at The Queen's Medical Center and Assistant Clinical Professor for the Department of Surgery at the John A. Burns School of Medicine. Dr. Kuroda is also actively involved in the education and training of students as the Associate Medical Director of the Kapiolani Community College Department of Emergency Medical Services. Your Committee finds that Dr. Kuroda is dedicated to public service, as evidenced by his membership on the Hawaii Medical Board's Emergency Medical Personnel Advisory Committee, The Queen's Medical Center's Professional Practice Evaluation Committee, and the State of Hawaii Emergency Medical Services Morbidity and Mortality Committee. In his personal statement, Dr. Kuroda indicated that he hopes to uphold his fiduciary duty to the public by ensuring that new and costly systems bring true value to the community. Your Committee finds that Dr. Kuroda has served on the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee since 2014 and that his experience as an emergency medical technician and physician, as well as his community involvement and commitment to educating future medical professionals, qualify him for reappointment to the Committee.

RALPH YAWATA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Ralph Yawata for reappointment from the Department of Health and three individuals.

Prior to retirement, Mr. Yawata worked for the Hawaii County Fire Department, where he served as the Bureau Chief of Emergency Medical Services and later as the Assistant Chief of Support Services overseeing the Hawaii Fire Department's Emergency Medical Services Bureau. Your Committee finds that Mr. Yawata has over thirty years of involvement with various public safety and first responder efforts in Hawaii, including as a paramedic. Your Committee notes that Mr. Yawata has also served as an auxiliary Emergency Medical Services instructor; has taught First Aid, CPR, and AED; and has served as a Safety Officer. In his personal statement, Mr. Yawata indicated that he hopes to use his experience as a service provider and community member to help address local challenges related to emergency medical services. Your Committee finds that Mr. Yawata has served on the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee since 2012 and that his knowledge, leadership experience, and expertise on emergency response services qualify him for reappointment to the Committee.

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