STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3544

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 739, 740, 741, 742, 743, 744, 745

 

 

 

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. 739, 740, 741, 742, 743, 744, and 745, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs

 

G.M. No. 739

BARBARA SERVICE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 740

BARBARA YAMASHITA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 741

BEVERLY GOTELLI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021;

 

G.M. No. 742

COLETTE BROWNE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 743

KATHLEEN WYATT,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 744

MARILYN SEELY,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023; and

 

G.M. No. 745

ROBERTA MURRAY,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Barbara Service, Barbara Yamashita, Beverly Gotelli, Colette Browne, Kathleen Wyatt, Marilyn Seely, and Roberta Murray for service on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

 

BARBARA SERVICE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Barbara Service from the Executive Office on Aging, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, and one individual. 

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Service's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs representing the city and county of Honolulu.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Service has spent more than forty years working in public social services, most of which were spent within the child welfare system.  Ms. Service is currently retired and serves as President of the Honolulu Chapter of the AARP, Treasurer of the Kokua Council, member of the Hawaii Alliance of Retired Americans Board of Directors, and is an active participant in the Hawaii State Legislature's Kupuna Caucus.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Service currently serves on the Legislative Committee of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Board's members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Barbara Service be appointed to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

BARBARA YAMASHITA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Barbara Yamashita from the Executive Office on Aging, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, and one individual. 

 

     Your Committee notes that G.M. No. 740 incorrectly references the name of the board for which this nomination was submitted; however, the documents submitted by and on behalf of the nominee make clear that the nomination is for the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Yamashita's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be reappointed to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Yamashita has extensive experience working in public health and human services, including hospital administration.  She is currently retired and most recently served as the Deputy Director of the City and County of Honolulu Department of Community Services, and previously she served as the Deputy Director of Human Services.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Yamashita has served as a member of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs since 2017, and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  She demonstrates a commitment to promoting healthy and productive aging in Hawaii.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Barbara Yamashita be reappointed to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

BEVERLY GOTELLI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Beverly Gotelli from the Executive Office on Aging, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, and two individuals. 

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Gotelli's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs as a member representing Kaua‘i County.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Gotelli is a retired middle school teacher with twenty-nine years of service to the Department of Education and currently serves as the President of the Hawaii State Teachers Association.  Previously, Ms. Gotelli was a caregiver to her mother where she experienced issues facing Hawaii's kupuna first-hand.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Gotelli serves on the Legislative Committee of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Beverly Gotelli be appointed to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

COLETTE BROWNE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Colette Brown from the Executive Office on Aging, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, and two individuals. 

 

     Your Committee notes that G.M. No. 742 incorrectly references the name of the board for which this nomination was submitted; however, the documents submitted by and on behalf of the nominee make clear that the nomination is for the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Browne's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Brown is a highly recognized and respected expert in the field of gerontology, in which she has more than forty years of experience.  Dr. Browne recently retired from her roles as Chair of the Department of Social Work and Richard S. and T. Rose Takasaki Endowed Professor in Social Policy at the University of Hawaii's Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work and Administrator of Geriatric Programs at Kuakini Medical Center.  She serves as a member of the Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society, Hawaii Long Term Care Association, and AARP Women's Leadership Council–Hawaii, among others.  Your Committee further notes that Dr. Browne has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and her extensive experience in gerontology, social work, and academia will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Colette Browne be appointed to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

KATHLEEN WYATT

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Kathleen Wyatt from the Executive Office on Aging, The Caregiver Foundation, and Hawai‘i Family Caregiver Coalition. 

 

     Your Committee notes that G.M. No. 743 incorrectly references the name of the board for which this nomination was submitted; however, the documents submitted by and on behalf of the nominee make clear that the nomination is for the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Wyatt's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be reappointed to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Wyatt is a registered nurse and has worked with the elderly for over twenty years as a nursing director and administrator in skilled nursing facilities.  She currently works as the Founder and President of Hale Hau‘oli Hawaii, an adult day care center that provides community education and caregiver support.  She is active in several community organizations, including the Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society, The Caregiver Foundation, Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, Kokua Council, Adult Day Centers Hawaii, Kokua Mau Hospice Palliative Care, West Oahu Community Coalition, Honolulu Community Coalition, and American College of Healthcare Executives.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Wyatt has served as an interim member of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs since 2017, and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Kathleen Wyatt be reappointed to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

MARILYN SEELY

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Marilyn Seely from the Executive Office on Aging, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, and one individual. 

 

     Your Committee notes that G.M. No. 744 incorrectly references the name of the board for which this nomination was submitted; however, the documents submitted by and on behalf of the nominee make clear that the nomination is for the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Seely's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Seely has extensive experience in the fields of aging, long term care, and long term care services, including work as the Director of the Executive Office on Aging and an Aging Specialist in the Center on Aging at the University of Hawai‘i.  Ms. Seely is currently an active member on various boards of directors, including those of Hospice Hawaii, Kokua Council, and Kokua Mau, and is an active participant in the Hawaii State Legislature's Kupuna Caucus.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Seely served as a member of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs from July 2011 to June 2019, and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Marilyn Seely be appointed to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

ROBERTA MURRAY

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Roberta Murray from the Executive Office on Aging and two individuals. 

 

     Your Committee notes that G.M. No. 745 incorrectly references the name of the board for which this nomination was submitted; however, the documents submitted by and on behalf of the nominee make clear that the nomination is for the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Murray's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Ms. Murray is currently retired after thirty-six years of experience in the communications and marketing field.  Previously, she was the Vice President of Programming and Communications for PBS Hawaii and served as the Hawaii Media Specialist during the 2010 Census.  Currently, Ms. Murray advocates for family caregivers in her role as a member of the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Community Caregiver Network.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Murray has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and her extensive experience in public relations and media communication will enhance the effectiveness of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Roberta Murray be appointed to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs based on her knowledge, background, and dedication 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