STAND. COM. REP. NO. 4007

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 642, 643

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 642 and 643, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

 

Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board

 

G.M. No. 642

MARGARET JACKSON,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026; and

 

G.M. No. 643

RANDOLPH HACK,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Margaret Jackson and Randolph Hack for service on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board.

 

MARGARET JACKSON

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Margaret Jackson from the Department of Health.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Jackson's experience as a parent of a child with special needs, commitment to public service, and dedication to improving the lives of those living with mental health and substance abuse disorders, qualify her for reappointment to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board.  Ms. Jackson is employed as a parent partner for Hawaii Families as Allies, an organization primarily staffed by parents, grandparents, foster parents, or hanai parents of children with emotional, behavioral health challenges, or both.  In her role, she encourages families she works with to be vocal advocates and to make their voices heard.  Ms. Jackson has a deep compassion for family members who struggle with both mental health and substance abuse issues, and her passion for the welfare of Hawaii youth is fueled by her personal experience with family members who struggle with mental health and substance abuse.  Your Committee further finds that section 334-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires members "be service area residents, who are consumers or nonproviders of mental health services and service area providers with a majority being non-state employees and nonproviders of mental health or other health services."  Ms. Jackson's service on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board, fulfills this requirement.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Jackson currently serves on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board, and therefore is already familiar with its work.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Margaret Jackson be reappointed to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board, based on her being a parent of a child with special needs and commitment to improving the lives of those living with mental health and substance abuse disorders.

 

RANDOLPH HACK

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Randolph Hack from the Department of Health, National Alliance on Mental Illness Hawaii, and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Hack's experience working in the field of mental health, commitment to public service, and dedication to improving the lives of those living with mental health and substance abuse disorders, qualify him for reappointment to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board.  Prior to his retirement from the Department of Health in 2017, Mr. Hack was the Consumer Advisor in the Adult Mental Health Division for eighteen years.  Mr. Hack has been a strong advocate for persons with mental illness for over thirty-five years, and he has received numerous recognitions and awards for his outstanding community service and passion for helping adults living with mental illness to achieve respect and dignity, and to develop their full potential.  His service includes serving on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance on Mental Illness Hawaii, volunteering at The Queen's Medical Center Patient Relations Department, and serving on the State Council on Mental Health.  Your Committee further finds that section 334-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires members "be service area residents, who are consumers or nonproviders of mental health services and service area providers with a majority being non-state employees and nonproviders of mental health or other health services."  Mr. Hack's service on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board, fulfills this requirement.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Hack currently serves on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board, and therefore is already familiar with its work.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Randolph Hack be reappointed to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Oahu Service Area Board, based on his experience working in the field of mental health and commitment to improving the lives of those living with mental health and substance abuse disorders.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair