STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1908

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 354, 355

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing, to which were referred Governor's Message Nos. 354 and 355, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

 

Statewide Council on Independent Living

 

G.M. No. 354

WAYNETTE KAM YAU CABRAL,

for a term to expire 6-30-2010; and

 

G.M. No. 355

DARA YUKIKO FUKUHARA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2010,

 

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 Statewide Council on Independent Living.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of WAYNETTE KAM YAU CABRAL, from the Department of Human Services, Family Voices of Hawaii, the Executive Director of the Statewide Council on Independent Living, and two individuals.  Ms. Cabral earned a B.S.W. and an M.S.W. from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Ms. Cabral has over thirty years of experience in the area of developmental disabilities.  She has worked as a Social Work Consultant and as a Program Coordinator with the Special Education Center of Oahu.  She has also served as Community and Legislative Liaison and as Program Specialist for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.  She is presently the Executive Administrator of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.  Her professional accolades include the 2004 Professional of the Year Award from the Special Parent Information Network and the 2004 Advocacy Award from the Easter Seals of Hawaii.  Ms. Cabral's extensive experience in the area of developmental disabilities make her a great asset to the Statewide Council on Independent Living.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of DARA YUKIKO FUKUHARA, from the Department of Human Services, the Executive Director of the Statewide Council on Independent Living, and two individuals.  Ms. Fukuhara earned a B.A. in Print Journalism from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  She is the current President of the Statewide Council on Independent Living and is overseeing the State Plan for Independent Living for 2007 to 2010.  As an individual with a physical disability, Ms. Fukuhara stated that she is in receipt of some of the State's services and recognizes the needs of a person with a disability.  She is also a mentor and advisory board member of Successful Transitions in Diverse Environments Hawaii, which provides opportunities for select young adults who receive services from Vocational Rehabilitation to move into greater community participation, higher education, and employment.  Ms. Fukuhara's personal experiences, as well as her leadership abilities, make her a valuable contributor to the Statewide Council on Independent Living.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing 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 and Public Housing,

 

 

 

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair