STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1500

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 519, 520

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 519 and 520, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council

G.M. No. 519	PAUL TONNESSEN, for a term to expire 06-30-2028; and
G.M. No. 520	MALIA MALUFAU, for a term to expire 06-30-2028,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Paul Tonnessen and Malia Malufau for service on the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council.

PAUL TONNESSEN

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Paul Tonnessen from the Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network.

Your Committee finds that Mr. Tonnessen's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be appointed to the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council. Your Committee notes that Mr. Tonnessen has over twelve years of experience working for social service organizations and over thirty years of volunteer experience working with nonprofit social change organizations. Mr. Tonnessen has been the Executive Director for the Friends of the Children's Justice Center of Maui since 2012, working with the Maui juvenile and family courts, engaging with judges, juvenile prosecutors, and juvenile probation and parole officers to ensure that there are alternatives to assisting children involved with the juvenile system. Previously, Mr. Tonnessen was a high-end retail sales manager for numerous jewelry retailers, where he gained valuable leadership and team management experience. Your Committee finds that Mr. Tonnessen has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and his extensive experience in helping the State's keiki within the juvenile and family courts will enhance the effectiveness of the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Paul Tonnessen be appointed to the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

MALIA MALUFAU

Your Committee did not receive any testimony for the nomination for the appointment of Malia Malufau for service on the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Malufau's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council. Your Committee notes that Ms. Malufau has been a Youth‑in-Court Facilitator for the University of Hawaiʻi William S. Richardson School of Law, since 2015, where she is an advocate for foster youth and helps youth navigate the State's court processes. Previously, Ms. Malufau was an Office Assistant in the Director's Office at the Department of Human Services, where she assisted in planning for the Imua Kākou youth program that helps young adults who exit foster care to build successful futures. Your Committee further notes that Ms. Malufau was a former foster youth that had aged out of the State's foster care system and that this experience has emboldened her to dedicate her career to improving the State's foster care system. Your Committee finds that Ms. Malufau has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and her extensive experience being in the State's foster care system and working with foster and juvenile youth will enhance the effectiveness of the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Malia Malufau be appointed to the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

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

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair