STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2241

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 722, 723, 740

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 722, 723, and 740, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Board of Education

G.M. No. 722	BRUCE VOSS, for a term to expire 06-30-2022;
G.M. No. 723	KENNETH UEMURA, for a term to expire 06-30-2022; and
G.M. No. 740	DAMIEN BARCARSE, 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 Bruce Voss, Kenneth Uemura, and Damien Barcarse for service on the Board of Education.

BRUCE VOSS

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Bruce Voss from one individual.

Your Committee finds that Mr. Voss is a business litigation attorney with experience in real estate and land use litigation, complex business disputes, and employment law and litigation. In the past, he has worked as a business newspaper reporter and television news reporter and still remains active in the media community. Mr. Voss also serves as a Board Member of Hawaii's public television station, PBS Hawaii, and supports the PBS Hawaii learning initiative, Hiki No Student News Network. According to his personal statement, Mr. Voss noted a few highlights during his first term on the Board of Education, including the hiring of the Superintendent of Education, the creation of a Strategic Plan with clear vision and metrics, and participating in the development of the Hawaii Consolidated State Plan. Your Committee therefore finds that Mr. Voss' passion for public education, as well as his willingness to serve, will continue to be great assets to the Board of Education.

KENNETH UEMURA

Your Committee received no testimony for the reappointment of Kenneth Uemura.

Your Committee finds that Mr. Uemura has an extensive leadership background in Hawaii's business and finance communities, where he serves as a Commissioner for the Grants in Aid Advisory Commission of the City and County of Honolulu and, most notably, has served as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hawai‘i Pacific University, where he was named the 2010 Chief Financial Officer of the Year by Pacific Business News. Mr. Uemura also has a long history of public service by volunteering on various non-profit boards. According to his personal statement, Mr. Uemura indicated that, as a current member of the Board of Education, he encourages the sharing of innovative ideas that may help the Department of Education operate its schools more efficiently and bring fresh energy to the board meetings. Your Committee therefore finds that Mr. Uemura's professional expertise, as well as his dedication to public service, will continue to be great assets to the Board of Education.

DAMIEN BARCARSE

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Damien Barcarse from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, ‘Aha Pūnana Leo, Na Kalai Waa o Kauai, The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Kanaeokana Kula Hawai‘i Network, and twenty individuals.

Your Committee finds that Mr. Barcarse is presently the West Hawai‘i Regional Director for Kamehameha Schools with an extensive career as an educator and administrator, including knowledge of the Hawaiian language and culture. His first-hand experiences as a student in Hawaii's public elementary, secondary, and post-secondary learning institutions gives him valuable insight into the needs, challenges, and concerns facing Hawaii's students. He is an active member of the community and possesses a diverse array of experiences in multi-media production, education, curriculum development, community engagement, language arts, biocultural pathways, and voyaging and navigation. According to his personal statement, Mr. Barcarse, as a member of the Board of Education, hopes to increase efficiency, accountability, and success in the public school system; increase public-private partnerships; and strengthen public support for the education system. Your Committee therefore finds that Mr. Barcarse's professional education experience, as well as his background in Hawaiian language and culture, will be great assets to the Board of Education.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Education 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 Education,

____________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair