STAND. COM. REP. NO. 4018

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 562, 636, 781, 782

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 562, 636, 781, and 782, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Law Enforcement Standards Board

 

G.M. No. 562

LAXMI DHAKHWA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 636

JARED REDULLA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 781

SHERRY BIRD,

for a term to expire 06-30-2025; and

 

G.M. No. 782

CRAIG TANAKA,

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 Laxmi Dhakhwa, Jared Redulla, Sherry Bird, and Craig Tanaka for service on the Law Enforcement Standards Board.

 

LAXMI DHAKHWA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Laxmi Dhakhwa from seventeen individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Dhakhwa's experience, knowledge, and proven leadership qualify him for appointment to the Law Enforcement Standards Board.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Dhakhwa currently works for the Criminal Justice Division of the Department of the Attorney General and is responsible for the vertical prosecution of criminal offenses throughout the State, including white collar and sex trafficking investigations.  Mr. Dhakhwa has spent fourteen years as a prosecutor for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Dhakhwa is active in his community and serves as a member of the McKinley High School Foundation's Board of Directors.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Laxmi Dhakhwa be appointed to the Law Enforcement Standards Board based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

JARED REDULLA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jared Redulla from the Department of Public Safety and four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Redulla's experience, knowledge, and proven leadership qualify him for appointment to the Law Enforcement Standards Board as a member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Redulla currently works as a Narcotics Enforcement Administrator and Narcotics Enforcement Supervisor and Investigator for the Department of Public Safety's Narcotics Enforcement Program.  Previously, Mr. Redulla worked as a Criminal Investigator for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Conservation and Resources Enforcement Officer for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Harbor Police Officer for the Department of Transportation.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Redulla is extremely knowledgeable and an accomplished subject matter expert in the field of law enforcement.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Jared Redulla be appointed to the Law Enforcement Standards Board based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

SHERRY BIRD

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Sherry Bird from the Hawai‘i Police Department.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Bird's experience, knowledge, and proven leadership qualify her for reappointment to the Law Enforcement Standards Board as a member.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Bird currently works as a Major at the Hawaii Police Department where she, under the supervision of an Assistant Police Chief, oversees all law enforcement operations on the west side of Hawaii Island.  Ms. Bird has spent twenty-four years working in law enforcement for the Hawaii Police Department, starting as a police recruit in 1998.  Previously, Ms. Bird served in the United States Army.  Ms. Bird is active in her community and serves as a member of the Hawaii Chapter of the Federal Bureau of Investigations' National Academy of Associates.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Bird has served as a member of the Board since 2020, is an accomplished law enforcement professional, and her vast experience in the various aspects of police work will continue to be assets to the Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Sherry Bird be reappointed to the Law Enforcement Standards Board based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

CRAIG TANAKA

 

     Your Committee did not receive any testimony on this measure.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Tanaka's experience, knowledge, and proven leadership qualify him for appointment to the Law Enforcement Standards Board as a member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Tanaka currently works as the Director of Security at the Makehana Golf & Beach Club; President of Ka‘ana‘ikepono, LLC; and an instructor at the University of Hawaii Maui Campus.  Mr. Tanaka has spent thirty-four years working in safety and security management within the lodging and hospitality industry.  Previously, Mr. Tanaka was the Assistant Director of Security at the Grand Wailea resort.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Tanaka's years of security and safety management experience will be assets to the Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Craig Tanaka be appointed to the Hawaii Law Enforcement Standards Board based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs 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 Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair