STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3546

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, and 635, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Council on Mental Health

 

G.M. No. 629

JON FUJII,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 630

TIMOTHY LINO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 631

RUSNELL PASCUAL-KESTNER,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 632

EILEEN LAU-JAMES,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 633

BEATRICE MARTINEZ,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 634

RICHARD RIES,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024; and

 

G.M. No. 635

ALEXANDRA MACIAS,

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 Jon Fujii, Timothy Lino, Rusnell Pascual-Kestner, Eileen Lau-James, Beatrice Martinez, Richard Ries, and Alexandra Macias for service on the State Council on Mental Health.

 

JON FUJII

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jon Fujii from the Department of Human Services, Department of Health, and ‘Ohana Health Plan.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Fujii's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify him for appointment to the State Council on Mental Health in the role of an individual representing the principal state agency with respect to Medicaid and a representative of the Hawai‘i Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Fujii is currently the acting Health Care Services Branch Administrator of the Med-QUEST Division in the Department of Human Services where he leads the management and execution of the Division's medical assistance programs, including those that address mental health.  Your Committee further notes that Mr. Fujii has over twenty years of experience in health care administration and finance, and his knowledge will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the State Council on Mental Health.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Fujii be appointed to the State Council on Mental Health based on his background, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

TIMOTHY LINO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Timothy Lino from the Department of Health.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Lino's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify him for appointment to the State Council on Mental Health as a Department of Education member.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Lino is currently the Administrator for the School Health Section of the Department of Education's Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Support.  Dr. Lino has thirty-five years of experience in the field of education and previously served a term on the State Council on Mental Health, including serving as its Second Vice Chair in 2019.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Lino be appointed to the State Council on Mental Health based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

RUSNELL PASCUAL-KESTNER

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Rusnell Pascual-Kestner from the Department of Health.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Pascual-Kestner's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify him for appointment to the State Council on Mental Health as a vocational rehabilitation member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Pascual-Kestner is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and is currently the Vocational Rehabilitation Assistant Administrator for the Department of Human Services.  Your Committee further notes that Mr. Pascual-Kestner has served as an interim member of the State Council on Mental Health since August 2019 and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Pascual-Kestner be appointed to the State Council on Mental Health based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

EILEEN LAU-JAMES

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Eileen Lau-James from the Department of Health.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Lau-James' experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify her for appointment to the State Council on Mental Health as a member representing families of adults with severe mental illness.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Lau-James is a veterinarian, small business owner, mother, wife to a husband who suffers from schizoaffective disorder, and an advocate for families experiencing similar challenges with mental health services.  Your Committee further notes that Dr. Lau-James has served as an interim member of the State Council on Mental Health since June 2019, was voted to serve as the Council's Secretary for fiscal year 2020, and accordingly has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Lau-James be appointed to the State Council on Mental Health based on her knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

BEATRICE MARTINEZ

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Beatrice Martinez from the Department of Health, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Martinez's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify her for appointment to the State Council on Mental Health as a member representing the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Martinez is currently the Resident Services Program Specialist with the Hawaii Public Housing Authority in the Department of Human Services.  Ms. Martinez also has experience in the field of behavioral health and has assisted with housing, case management, and recovery support service coordination for the Adult Mental Health Division.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Martinez has served a prior term on the State Council on Mental Health and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Martinez be appointed to the State Council on Mental Health based on her knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

RICHARD RIES

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Richard Ries from the Department of Health and four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Ries' experience, knowledge, and proven leadership on the State Council on Mental Health qualify him for reappointment to the Council as a member representing families of adults or children with serious emotional disturbances.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Ries is a licensed clinical psychologist and currently works in private practice in the field of psychotherapy, focusing in areas of trauma, anxiety and depression, behavioral issues, and resiliency.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Ries has served on the Council since 2016 and currently serves as its Chair.  Dr. Ries' experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the State Council on Mental Health.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Ries be reappointed to the State Council on Mental Health based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

ALEXANDRA MACIAS

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Alexandra Macias from the Department of Health.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Macias' experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify her for appointment to the State Council on Mental Health as a member representing families of adults with severe mental illnesses.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Macias is a graduate student at the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is currently interning with Mental Health Kokua as a case manager, providing outreach, engagement, social rehabilitation, and resources to individuals who have experienced homelessness and have been diagnosed with serious mental illness.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Macias has served as an interim member of the State Council of Mental Health since June 2019 and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Macias be appointed to the State Council on Mental Health based on her knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

     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