SSCR1069

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1069

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 646, 647

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. 646 and 647, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Language Access Advisory Council

G.M. No. 646

SUNSHINE CHOE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2029; and

G.M. No. 647

BARBARA TOM,

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 Sunshine Choe and Barbara Tom for service on the Language Access Advisory Council.

SUNSHINE CHOE

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Sunshine Choe from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, The Legal Clinic, and Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Choe's educational background teaching the English language and experience serving in state government qualify her to be appointed to the Language Access Advisory Council as a representative of the state government. Your Committee notes that Ms. Choe has been an educator and public servant since 2010. Ms. Choe is currently the Public Services Director for the Lieutenant Governor's Office. In her role as Public Services Director, Ms. Choe also serves as the Office's Language Access Coordinator and oversees the development of the bi-annual Language Access Plan and the training of staff for working with self-identified limited English speaking persons. Previously, Ms. Choe obtained state government experience working as an Unemployment Insurance Specialist for the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and as a Committee Clerk for the Office of State Representative Aaron Ling Johanson. Before her experience in state government, from 2012-2017, Ms. Choe was a Teacher and Counselor at the Harbin Wanbang School in Harbin, China, where she taught numerous English language classes and assisted exchange students to understand cross-cultural issues and how to create a plan to succeed academically and socially. Your Committee finds that Ms. Choe has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and her extensive experience as an educator with experience as a state government employee and in teaching English will enhance the effectiveness of the Language Access Advisory Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Sunshine Choe be appointed to the Language Access Advisory Council based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

BARBARA TOM

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Barbara Tom from Parents and Children Together, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, The Legal Clinic, Hawaiʻi Friends of Civil Rights, AlohaCare, and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Tom's experience, knowledge, and proven leadership on the Language Access Advisory Council qualify her for reappointment to the Language Access Advisory Council as a member representing a covered entity. Your Committee notes that Ms. Tom has over thirteen years of experience in providing language access services to local communities as the Founder and Director of the Waipahu Safe Haven Immigrant/Migrant Resource Center, a holistic resource center in Waipahu dedicated to addressing social determinants of health, education, and welfare with language access services to address all areas of need in partnership with multiple community agencies. Before her current role, Ms. Tom served over thirty‑four years as a nurse in the State. Specifically, Ms. Tom was a Public Health Nurse for the Department of Health from 1988‑2011, a Home Care Nurse at Saint Francis Hospital from 1978‑1988, and a Charge Nurse at Kaiser Permanente Hospital from 1977‑1978. Your Committee further finds that Ms. Tom has served on the Language Access Advisory Council since 2022. Ms. Tom's community service experience and health care knowledge will continue to be assets to the Language Access Advisory Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Barbara Tom be reappointed to the Language Access Advisory Council based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment 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