STAND. COM. REP. NO. 904

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 516

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 516, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Director of the Department of Public Safety

 

G.M. No. 516

NOLAN ESPINDA,

for a term to expire 12-3-2018,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Nolan Espinda to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated as the Director of Public Safety.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Mr. Espinda from the Governor; United States Marshals Service, District of Hawaii; Department of Transportation; Hawaii Emergency Management Agency; Hawaii Paroling Authority; Department of Budget and Finance; Crime Victim Compensation Commission; Capitol Consultants of Hawaii, LLP; United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO; Pacific Resource Partnership; Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust; Enterprise Honolulu; Hawaii Construction Alliance; Hawaii Primary Care Association; and seventy individuals.  Your Committee received testimony is opposition to the nomination of Mr. Espinda from Hoomana Pono, LLC, and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on the nomination of Mr. Espinda from two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Espinda's background, experience, and commitment to public service qualify him for appointment as the Director of Public Safety.  Mr. Espinda has extensive experience in the public sector, having worked for the Department of Public Safety for thirty-two years.  Following his graduation from California State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, he began his career as a Recreation Specialist at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility in 1983 and later served as Corrections Supervisor, Acting Corrections Manager, Office of the Institutions Division Administrator, and Managing ACO IV Warden at the Oahu Community Correctional Center.  In 1994, Mr. Espinda received the Department of Public Safety's "Manager of the Year" award in recognition of his work.  Since 2009, he has served as the Managing ACO IV Warden at Halawa Correctional Facility.

 

     Mr. Espinda is admired and respected by his colleagues, as evidenced by the overwhelmingly positive testimony submitted on his behalf.  Testimony in support of his nomination indicates that he has a proven track record of accountability and hands-on management, possesses sound knowledge of the correctional system, and possesses a deep understanding of the challenges facing the Department of Public Safety.  Throughout his career, Mr. Espinda has demonstrated fiscal responsibility and an ability to establish solid working relationships.  Since his January appointment as the Director of Public Safety, he has already been instrumental in successfully expanding and improving communications between the State's eights wardens and initiating positive change in addressing institutional family visits.  Mr. Espinda is described as an honest and fair leader with the intelligence, integrity, expertise, professionalism, and determination to lead the Department of Public Safety.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Espinda has excellent credentials and has demonstrated a high level of understanding of the State's public safety needs and how those needs can be met. His years of service to the State are an indication of his dedication to public service, and he has demonstrated excellent leadership skills.  Mr. Espinda is exceptionally qualified to serve as the Director of Public Safety.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs 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 Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair