STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1810

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 696

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 696, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Correctional Industries Advisory Committee

G.M. No. 696

MARY VERDINE S.O. KONG,

For a term to expire 06-30-2008,

begs leave to report as follows:

MARY VERDINE S.O. KONG earned a bachelor's degree from San Francisco State University and a law degree from the University of California Hastings College of Law. Since 2001, Ms. Kong has served as the Program Director for Maui Economic Opportunity's Being Safe and Empowered Together (BEST) Reintegration Program. This program's goal is to reduce recidivism rates among inmates by providing critical support services, including housing, pre-employment training, job fairs, and mentor opportunities, to inmates prior to their release from custody.

Testimony in support of Ms. Kong was submitted by the Acting Warden of the Maui Community Correctional Center, the Executive Director of Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., the Director of the Department of Housing and Human Concerns for the County of Maui, and the Grants Management Administrator for the County of Maui.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Kong's legal experience, which includes working as a public defender in Hawaii and California, coupled with her experience in Maui Economic Opportunity's BEST Reintegration Program, has provided her with a unique perspective and knowledge that will assist the work of the Committee.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian 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 Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

COLLEEN HANABUSA, Chair