SSCR3762

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3762

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 573, 686, 707

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 573, 686, and 707, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Disability and Communication Access Board

G.M. No. 573

ANTHONY AKAMINE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022;

G.M. No. 686

JUSTIN TOKIOKA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019; and

G.M. No. 707

ROSANNA DANIEL-KANETAKE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Anthony Akamine, Justin Tokioka, and Rosanna Daniel-Kanetake for service on the Disability and Communication Access Board.

ANTHONY AKAMINE

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Anthony Akamine from the Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii Association of the Blind, and two individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Akamine's background, experience, and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Disability and Communication Access Board as a consumer or person with a disability representing the population of individuals who are blind or have low vision. Your Committee finds that Mr. Akamine is currently employed as an Elections Specialist with the Office of Elections. In this capacity, Mr. Akamine provides guidance and education to ensure that the voting process is accessible to people with disabilities. Mr. Akamine previously served on the Disability and Communication Access Board from 1994 to 2007, and understands the role and responsibilities of board membership. Mr. Akamine is also an active member of the Hawaii Association of the Blind (HAB), and provides representation for HAB to the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO), making sure that OMPO takes into account the needs of persons who are blind or have low vision.

JUSTIN TOKIOKA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Justin Tokioka from the Disability and Communication Access Board; Bernard Carvalho, Jr., Mayor of Kauai County; and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Tokioka's experience, leadership, and background qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Disability and Communication Access Board as a consumer or person with a disability representing the population of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Your Committee finds that Mr. Tokioka has previously been employed by summer camps for the deaf offered through the Comprehensive Service Center's Youth Leadership Program. Your Committee finds that Mr. Tokioka has demonstrated his commitment to advocacy for the deaf and hard of hearing population by urging the passage of Act 39, Session Laws of Hawaii 2015, which requires movie theaters to provide twice-weekly screenings of films with open captioning, and successfully challenging a youth baseball league rule which did not provide for the use of a sign-language interpreter. Your Committee also finds that Mr. Tokioka's experience requesting and using a variety of aids gives him insight into ways to improve access for persons with disabilities throughout the State.

ROSANNA DANIEL-KANETAKE

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Rosanna Daniel-Kanetake from the Disability and Communication Access Board and two individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Daniel-Kanetake's knowledge, experience, and background qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Disability and Communication Access Board as a consumer or person with a disability representing the population of individuals with mobility disabilities. Your Committee finds that Ms. Daniel-Kanetake currently works as a Victim Witness Counselor for the Honolulu Prosecutor's Safe House, which provides victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking with transitional housing. Your Committee further finds that Ms. Daniel-Kanetake has worked in the social services field for over twenty years, gaining experience in developing programs, working with clients with disabilities, and grant writing, which will be valuable to the Board. Your Committee finds that Ms. Daniel-Kanetake currently serves on the Disability Communication Access Board as the Chairperson of the Legislative Committee and as a member of the Executive Committee and has demonstrated that she understands the role and responsibilities of board membership.

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