STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1209

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 561, 562, 563

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor, Culture and the Arts, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 561, 562, and 563, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Hawai'i Workforce Development Council

G.M. No. 561	BRIAN LEE, for a term to expire 06-30-2020;
G.M. No. 562	KAREN WONG, for a term to expire 06-30-2022; and
G.M. No. 563	MIRIAM WHITMAN, 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 Brian Lee, Karen Wong, and Miriam Whitman for service on the Hawai‘i Workforce Development Council.

BRIAN LEE

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Mr. Lee from the Hawai‘i Workforce Development Council; Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters; Hawai‘i Construction Alliance; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Pacific Resource Partnership; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 50; Ralph S. Inouye Co., Ltd.; and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that Mr. Lee is presently the Director at the Hawaii Laborers' and Employers Cooperation Education Trust, which is a partnership of five thousand statewide members of the Hawaii Laborers Union Local 368. Mr. Lee has served in key leadership roles for several labor organizations including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Hawaii Operating Engineers, and Hawaii Construction Industry Association. Mr. Lee also has a strong understanding of the public workforce having served on the Oahu Workforce Board. The Committee notes that Mr. Lee is currently an intern appointee to the Hawai‘i Workforce Development Council and has been serving in that capacity since last summer. Mr. Lee also currently serves on the Council's Performance Measures and Accountability Committee as Vice Chair. Numerous testifiers attested to Mr. Lee's integrity, diligence, and ability to bring parties together to find practical solutions. Mr. Lee's experience, knowledge, ability to foster relationships, and commitment to improving Hawaii's workforce will be assets to the Hawai‘i Workforce Development Council.

KAREN WONG

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Ms. Wong from the Hawai‘i Workforce Development Council, Lanakila Pacific, and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Wong is currently the Vice President of Administration for Lanakila Pacific, an organization that provides valuable employment and job training for people with disabilities. As the Vice President of Administration for Lanakila Pacific, Ms. Wong advocates for opportunities for people with disabilities to be included in competitive employment, and oversees the operations of Lanakila Pacific's finance, human resources, information technology, and facilities departments. Ms. Wong has over twenty-five years of experience in accounting, finance, and management of profit and non-profit organizations. Additionally, Ms. Wong has volunteered for numerous organizations including the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Hawaii, The Immigration Center, and Saint Francis Hospice. Numerous testifiers attested to Ms. Wong's high level of integrity and work ethic. Ms. Wong's leadership skills, strong administrative experience, and dedication to the community will greatly contribute to the Hawai‘i Workforce Development Council.

MIRIAM WHITMAN

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Ms. Whitman from the Hawai‘i Workforce Development Council; United States Department of Labor, Kinai ‘Eha; California Indian Manpower Consortium, Inc.; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Whitman has been serving for the Hawai‘i Workforce Development Council as Vice Chair of the Youth Services Committee since 2017. Ms. Whitman has nearly forty years of non-profit experience. Since 1979, Ms. Whitman has worked at Alu Like, Inc., as the Director of the Department of Employment and Training and is responsible for the oversight of the employment and training program, including objectives and performance goals. Ms. Whitman is also a member of various organizations including the national Advisory Council of the National Indian and Native American Employment and Training Conference, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, and Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club. Testimony submitted by the Workforce Development Council notes that Ms. Miriam Whitman has extensive knowledge of the Indian and Native American Programs Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Section 166. Ms. Whitman's experience, leadership skills, commitment to Hawaii's workforce, and knowledge of Native Hawaiian and youth matters will continue to be assets to the Hawai‘i Workforce Development Council.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor, Culture and the Arts 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 Labor, Culture and the Arts,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair