STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1990

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 729, 730, 731

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 729, 730, and 731, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Board of Nursing

 

G.M. No. 729

TERRENCE ARATANI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2028. (Board name corrected to State Board of Nursing by GM759);

 

G.M. No. 730

SHERYL SHIELDS-HANSON,

for a term to expire 06-30-2028. (Board name corrected to State Board of Nursing by GM759); and

 

G.M. No. 731

DARRYN DUNBAR,

for a term to expire 06-30-2029. (Board name corrected to State Board of Nursing by GM759),

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Terrence Aratani, Sheryl Shields-Hanson, and Darryn Dunbar for service on the State Board of Nursing.

 

 

TERRENCE ARATANI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Terrence Aratani from the State Board of Nursing, Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association, AlohaCare, and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Aratani's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him for appointment to the State Board of Nursing as a public member from the City and County of Honolulu.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Aratani has been the Chief Executive Officer at Koʻolauloa Health Center since 2014, where he oversees operations, functions, and compliance for a forty-five-employee federally qualified health center.  Testimony received by your Committee also notes the integral role that Mr. Aratani has played in advocating for federally qualified health centers and their patients during his time as Chair of the Hawaii Primary Care Association's Board of Directors.  Previously, Mr. Aratani proudly served in various roles within the Legislature, including as Chief of Staff for the Office of the Senate President.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Aratani also served as Staff Attorney for the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, where he acquired a deep knowledge of the insurance laws and health care system in Hawaii.  Presently, Mr. Aratani remains involved in the local community, serving on the boards of numerous community programs, such as the Honolulu Community Action Program, Liahona Youth Empowerment, and Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Aratani has served on the State Board of Nursing since 2023, is presently a holdover member, and his experience and perspective as a public member will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Terrence Aratani be appointed to the State Board of Nursing based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

SHERYL SHIELDS-HANSON

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Sheryl Shields-Hanson from the State Board of Nursing, Kauaʻi Community College, and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Shields-Hanson's experience, knowledge, and proven leadership as a nurse and educator qualify her for appointment to the Board as a registered nurse and nursing education member from Kauai county.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Shields-Hanson has forty years of experience as a nurse and has spent the last thirty-three years dedicated to the education of qualified nurses.  Presently, Ms. Shields-Hanson is a full-time nursing instructor for the Kauai Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program, and before that worked as a Nurse Educator for Assessment Technologies Institute, where she taught National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) preparation courses in all exam areas and specialties for prospective NCLEX examinees.  Previously, Ms. Shields-Hanson served as a full-time professor at Santa Barbara City College in California for nearly twenty-five years, where she lectured, provided clinical instruction, advised students, and helped direct and update the clinical practicum for the school's Associate Degree in Nursing Program.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Shields-Hanson has served on the State Board of Nursing as an interim member since 2023, is currently a holdover member, and her background and experience will continue to be assets to the Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Sheryl Shields-Hanson be appointed to the State Board of Nursing based on her experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

 

DARRYN DUNBAR

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Darryn Dunbar from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Dunbar's experience, knowledge, and desire to serve his community qualify him for appointment to the State Board of Nursing as a registered nurse member from the City and County of Honolulu.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Dunbar has thirty-five years of nursing experience and has been a certified nurse-midwife and advanced practice nurse for twenty-seven years.  Mr. Dunbar currently serves as the Senior System Director of Nursing Administration and Operations for The Queen's Medical Center, where he has led significant initiatives, including reducing clinical contract labor, implementing staffing differentials during pandemic surges, and developing workforce strategies to enhance recruitment and retention.  Previously, Mr. Dunbar worked as the Senior Director of Nursing Administration and Throughput Operations and before that served as Director of Critical Care Services at The Queen's Medical Center's West Oahu campus.  In addition to his professional experience, Mr. Dunbar also holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership from Johns Hopkins University, and a Master of Science in Maternal-Child Nursing and Nurse-Midwifery.  Your Committee further notes that Mr. Dunbar has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of board members and his extensive knowledge and experience in nursing and midwifery will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Darryn Dunbar be appointed to the State Board of Nursing based on his knowledge, background, and desire to serve the public.

 

     Your Committee further notes the ongoing critical shortage of health care workers across the State, a crisis that continues to strain the State's health care system and the professionals who serve in it.  Compounding this issue are concerns over health care employees, especially nurses, being pressured into participating in workplace giving campaigns, raising questions over the appropriateness of such practices in already high-stress environments.  Your Committee believes that this matter warrants further discussion and should be addressed in future deliberations by the State Board of Nursing.  Your Committee therefore requests that the State Board of Nursing further examine this issue to ensure that nurses and other health care staff are treated fairly and that workplace expectations remain ethical and supportive.

 

     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,

 

 

 

____________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair