STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1728

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     GOV. MSG. NO. 606

 

 

 

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 No. 606, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

 

G.M. No. 606

SCOTT T. MURAKAMI,

for a term to expire at noon on 12-05-2022,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Scott T. Murakami for service as the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Mr. Murakami from the Governor; Department of Human Resources Development; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Transportation; Department of Agriculture; Department of Public Safety; Department of Accounting and General Services; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Department of Human Services; Department of Budget and Finance; Department of Health; Workforce Development Council; Workforce Development Division of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Office of Enterprise Technology Services; University of Hawai‘i System; McKinley Community School for Adults; Leeward Community College; Kapiolani Community College; State Rehabilitation Council; Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board; Research Corporation of the University of Hawai‘i;  Workforce Solutions Group; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Oahu Economic Development Board; Hawaii Island Economic Development Board; National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers; Spatial Integrated Systems, Inc.; Hawaii Medical Service Association; Arc of Kona; Gray Hong Nojima & Associates, Inc.; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Ship Repair Association of Hawaii; Hawaii Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Fund; and over fifty individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Murakami is currently the Acting Director of Labor and Industrial Relations.  Most recently, he served as the Director of Workforce Development in the Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges and previously, as the Director of the Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training.  Mr. Murakami has served in positions for numerous educational institutes including as Provost and Chief Executive Officer for Hawaii Technology Institute, Vice President of Academic Affairs for Hawaii Business College, Financial Services Manager for Hawaii Job Corps Center, and Administrative Officer for University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Mr. Murakami also holds positions or is a member of a number of organizations including the State of Hawaii Rehabilitation Council, Economic Development Council Alliance of Hawaii, Workforce Development Council, and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.  Mr. Murakami holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Sociology, Master's degree in Business Administration, and Master's degree in Accounting.

 

     Your Committee believes that Mr. Murakami, with approximately twenty-eight years of experience in workforce development, employment and training, and vocational rehabilitation, possesses the qualifications to continue to serve as the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations.  More particularly, his understanding of Hawaii's public workforce strengths and weaknesses, and extensive experience and knowledge of labor market data, advanced technology training, and post-secondary education will continue to serve him well in overseeing the numerous programs under the Department.  Testifiers commented on Mr. Murakami's dedication, knowledge, leadership skills, experience, professionalism, compassion, and strong commitment to Hawaii's workforce - qualities that benefit the Department as it strives to fulfil its mandates.

 

     Your Committee also notes that testifiers remarked that Mr. Murakami has shown that he has the ability to work collaboratively with businesses, labor organizations, education providers, and state leaders.  He has a firm working knowledge about government and the Department and possesses the right amount of managerial and policy perspective that will serve the Department well and ultimately serve those whose interests the Department is there to protect.  Mr. Murakami is dedicated to increasing workforce development opportunities for all of Hawaii's residents and providing a competitive advantage to Hawaii's business in the global economy.  Testifiers also mentioned that Mr. Murakami leads with heart and aloha.  In his own testimony, Mr. Murakami stated that he is confident that he and his team can make a positive contribution to improving the resilience of Hawaii's economy in the global marketplace and strengthen Hawaii's economic safety net.  He also emphasized that he would like to do his part to be sure that employment opportunities are available to Hawaii's youth and young adults who choose to make the investment to better themselves by allowing them to compete in the global labor market while being able to continue to call Hawaii home.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Murakami's vast experience, leadership skills, collaborative nature, compassion, and dedication, will continue to serve him well as the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair