STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3822

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 459, 460, 461, 462

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 459, 460, 461, and 462, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Commission on Fatherhood

G.M. No. 459

BARRETT KEOKI AWAI,

for a term to expire 6-30-2007;

G.M. No. 460

MICHAEL R. DIAS,

for a term to expire 6-30-2007;

G.M. No. 461

MYRNA B. MURDOCH,

for a term to expire 6-30-2007; and

G.M. No. 462

SYLVIA H. L. YUEN, Ph.D.,

for a term to expire 6-30-2007,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds the nominees to have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to the Commission on Fatherhood.

Your Committee received testimony in support of BARRETT KEOKI AWAI, from a Senior Pastor of Kawaiaha`o Church and one individual. Mr. Awai is a Youth and Young Adult Director at Kawaiaha`o Church. He earned an A.A. from Arizona Western College and a B.A. in Science from Brigham Young University. Mr. Awai and his wife, Tara, have three children and are currently expecting a fourth child. According to the testimony, Mr. Awai is a caring, kind, and loving person in his capacity as a father, husband, and mentor. He will be a great asset to the Commission on Fatherhood.

Your Committee received testimony in support of MICHAEL R. DIAS from the Department of Human Services and Hawai'i Coalition for Dads. Mr. Dias is an employment specialist at Alu Like, Inc. He is also an instructor at the Nā Pua No`eau – Ho`omālamalama Program at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo where he instructs K-5 Native Hawaiian children in effort to promote and identify student talents in a uniquely Hawaiian context. He received his B.A. in English and Social Science with a Hawaiian Studies Minor from the University of Hawai`i at Hilo. Mr. Dias' past experience includes working as a father involvement specialist for the Ho`okahua Early Childhood Department at Alu Like, Inc. He is a nurturing, involved father and strong advocate for fathers, children, and families. He is a former co-chair of the Hawai`i Coalition for Dads. Mr. Dias' experience makes him an ideal candidate for a voting member of the Commission on Fatherhood.

Your Committee received testimony in support of MYRNA B. MURDOCH from the Department of Human Services, Hawai'i Coalition for Dads, the Public Policy Center at the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, and two individuals. Ms. Murdoch earned a B.A. with Honors from the University of Victoria in Victoria, Canada, and an M.A. in European Languages from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. She is currently pursuing an M.A. in English as a Second Language at Hawaii Pacific University. Ms. Murdoch is a mother and an active member of the volunteer community. Her service includes as a board member for Honolulu Theater for Youth, Junior League, and St. Francis School for Girls. She founded the Children's Rights Council of Hawaii and is a member of the national board of Children's Rights Council. Ms. Murdoch's community service and experience make her well qualified for the Commission on Fatherhood.

Your Committee received testimony in support of SYLVIA H. L. YUEN, Ph.D., from the Department of Human Services and one individual. Dr. Yuen earned a B.S. in Home Economics Education from the University of Hawaii, a M.S. in Child Development from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Hawaii. She also has a certificate from the Management Development Program at Harvard University. She is presently on the boards of the Institute for Human Services and the Hawaii Community Action Program. Dr. Yuen is the director of the Center on the Family at the University of Hawaii, and has service as a faculty member, the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and Interim Dean for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. She has received several excellence in teaching awards, national awards for the Data Center on Children and Family, and recognition for a video on Celebrating Family. Dr. Yuen will be a valuable asset to the Commission on Fatherhood.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is 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 Human Services,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair