STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3804

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 726

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 726, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Hawai'i Labor Relations Board

G.M. No. 726

SESNITA MOEPONO, for a term to expire 06-30-2023,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Sesnita Moepono for service on the Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Sesnita Moepono from the Chair of the Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board; Executive Officer of the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; University of Hawaii Professional Assembly; and five individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Moepono's legal experience, background, and knowledge qualify her for reappointment to the Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board. Ms. Moepono has served on the Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board since June 15, 2011. Previously, she worked as the Coordinator for Legislation and Litigation for the Offender Management Office of the Department of Public Safety and worked in solo private legal practice from 1998 to 2011, concentrating her practice in civil matters in the areas of contract, employment, estate planning, legislative analysis, probate, real property, and workers' compensation. In addition to her solo private practice during this period, she was involved in the public sector and legislative arena. She served as a capital improvement projects analyst with the Senate Ways and Means Committee and a staff attorney with the Senate Committee on Water and Land and the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor. Ms. Moepono is an active participant in the community by serving on the Kunawai Neighborhood Watch & Patrol and Downtown Business Association, and previously served on the Kupuna Caucus, the Honolulu Committee on Aging, and the Honolulu Planning Commission, among others. Your Committee finds that Ms. Moepono's extensive experience gives her a well-rounded legal background and that her knowledge and the perspectives she has gained through her work with management and labor unions make her a valuable member of the Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor,

____________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair