STAND. COM. REP. NO. 19

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 3

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Second Special Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 3, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

G.M. No. 3

DARWIN CHING, for a term to expire 12-6-2010,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Upon review of the background information submitted by the nominee, Darwin L.D. Ching, your Committee finds that Mr. Ching is currently the interim director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, a post he has held since August 9, 2007.  He also serves as a hearings officer for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. 

     Mr. Ching has been an attorney since 1976, when he graduated as part of the first graduating class of the Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii.  He has practiced in several different fields as a private attorney, engaging in various types of litigation including personal injury, business law, and family law.  Mr. Ching has also served with the Department of the Attorney General and as a Supervising Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu. 

     Mr. Ching also has several years of arbitration experience and has undertaken labor-related private arbitrations involving the United Public Workers and the Hawaii Governmental Employees Association.

     Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Ching was a social studies teacher at Kaimuki Intermediate School. 

     Mr. Ching is also active in the community, contributing his time to Palama Settlement by serving on its Board of Directors for Community Organization.  He has also served as a member of the Hawaii Board of Education.

     Testimony in support of Mr. Ching was submitted by the Department of Transportation; the Comptroller; the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; the Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; the Hawai‘i Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Committee; the Ironworkers Union, Local 625; the Ironworkers Union Stabilization Fund, Local 625; the Hawaii Laborers'-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust; the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers; the United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO; the Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council; The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii; the Hawaii State Teachers Association; the Hawaii Carpenters Union; the Hawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund; the Hawaii Government Employees Association; the Hawaii State AFL-CIO; the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission; the Hawaii Medical Association; Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company; the Building Industry Association of Hawaii; the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, Local 1463, IAFF, AFL-CIO; and eighty-nine individuals.

     Testimony in opposition of Mr. Ching's nomination was submitted by one individual.

     One individual submitted comments.

     Your Committee finds the overwhelming testimony submitted in Mr. Ching's favor shows that Mr. Ching is an innovative, committed, and dedicated individual.  The testimony also demonstrates that Mr. Ching has played a positive role during his short time with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.  Mr. Ching has many years of varied experience that will serve him well as the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair