STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1819

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 723, 724

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 723 and 724, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology

G.M. No. 723	LORNA HU, for a term to expire 06-30-2025; and
G.M. No. 724	BRIAN CHEN, for a term to expire 06-30-2025,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Lorna Hu and Brian Chen for service on the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

LORNA HU

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Lorna Hu from Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Hu's experience, knowledge, and proven leadership on the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology qualify her for reappointment to the Board as a licensee member. Your Committee notes that Ms. Hu has been licensed as a speech pathologist in Hawaii since 1986 and has over thirty years of professional practice experience in all areas of speech pathology. Ms. Hu is currently the lead pediatric speech-language pathologist at Tripler Army Medical Center's neuro-developmental multidisciplinary clinic. Ms. Hu also actively contributes to her professional community through her volunteerism and serves as a mentor and clinical student supervisor for various universities and as a consultant to medical students and educational staff. Your Committee further finds that Ms. Hu has served on the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology since 2017 and prior to that, served as a member of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Regulated Industries Complaints Office's Speech Language and Audiology Advisory Committee for nearly twenty years. Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Hu be reappointed to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

BRIAN CHEN

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Brian Chen from the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology and three individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Chen's knowledge, background, and proven leadership on the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology qualify him for reappointment to the Board as a public member who is licensed to practice medicine in this State and certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. Your Committee notes that Dr. Chen is a major in the Medical Corps of the United States Army, is currently stationed at the Tripler Army Medical Center where he serves as an attending surgeon, and has been a licensed physician in Hawaii since 2018. Dr. Chen completed his clinical fellowship for neurotology and skull base surgery at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles, California, and his otolaryngology and head and neck surgery residency at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. Dr. Chen has undertaken several roles at Tripler Army Medical Center, including Assistant Chief of Otolaryngology, Medical Director of Audiology Services, and Director of the Cochlear Implant Program. Your Committee further finds that Dr. Chen has served on the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology since 2020 and Dr. Chen's experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Chen be reappointed to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology based on his background, experience, and dedication to serving the public.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection 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 and Consumer Protection,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair