STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2895

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 398, 399, 400, 401

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 398, 399, 400, and 401, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Advisory Board on Veterans' Services

 

G.M. No. 398

LUIS ALEJANDRO PARKER,

for a term to expire 6-30-2008;

 

G.M. No. 399

LUIS ALEJANDRO PARKER,

for a term to expire 6-30-2012;

 

G.M. No. 400

LLOYD K. SODETANI,

for a term to expire 6-30-2012; and

 

G.M. No. 401

ANNE V. STEVENS,

for a term to expire 6-30-2012,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Luis Alejandro Parker from the State Department of Defense; Ewa by Gentry Community Association; Vietnam Veterans of America; and two individuals.

 

     The nominee is being appointed to serve out a term to expire on June 30, 2008, and being reappointed to another term to expire on June 30, 2012.  He represents the Oahu/Veteran appointment.

 

     Mr. Alejandro received a B.A. degree from the University of West Florida.  He is retired from the United States Air Force, graduating from the U.S. Air Force Non-Commissioned Officers Academy.   Mr. Alejandro served from 1998 to 2007 as a Vietnam Veterans Advocate for the Vietnam Veterans of America, Oahu Chapter 858, which he founded.   He was most recently employed by Kaiser Permanente in Honolulu as a supervisor in diagnostic imaging and records.  Mr. Alejandro is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1540, among other military veterans organizations of which he belongs.  He also served in the United States Marine Corps and received a Purple Heart. 

 

     Your Committee notes from the testimony of the State Department of Defense that the nominee "has created a whirlwind of action in providing information to the Board concerning veterans' activities as an advocate to veterans."  Your Committee further notes from the nominee's personal statement that problems can be solved if the right people have the right attitude and tools necessary to do the right thing.  Of particular interest to your Committee is Mr. Alejandro's written answer to the Committee's written questions that, "We also need to take care of our veterans once they pass on by providing top-quality cemeteries with enough resources to maintain them at the highest possible standard."

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Lloyd K. Sodetani from the State Department of Defense.

 

     The nominee represents the Maui/Veteran appointment.  Mr. Sodetani received a B.A. degree from the Washburn University of Topeka and an M.B.A. degree from the University of Hawaii.  He also completed the program at the University of Hawaii Graduate Realtor Institute and the Realtors National Marketing Institute.  He is a certified real estate broker manager and the President of Maui Realty Co., Inc.

 

     Mr. Sodetani retired in 1999 with the rank of colonel from the United States Army Reserve.  He was honorably discharged in 1972 from active duty.  Mr. Sodetani's military awards and ribbons include the Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Commendation Medal; National Guard Commendation Medal; Hawaii National Guard Service Medal; National Defense Service Ribbon; Army Reserve Component Ribbon; USA Oversea Training Ribbon (7); Army Service Ribbon; Armed Forces Reserve Ribbon (6); Army Overseas Service Ribbon; and Joint Service Unit Citation.  He belongs to numerous professional and community organizations on Maui.

 

     Your Committee notes from the testimony of the State Department of Defense that, "Mr. Sodetani has been extremely active with the veterans on the county of Maui.  While working as a veteran advocate on Maui, he identifies issues that are affecting these veterans and suggests alternative approaches to OVS to help ensure veterans receive their much-needed benefits.  Mr. Sodetani has also taken the initiative to help begin planning for the Maui Veterans to obtain a Maui Veterans Center."  Your Committee further notes from the nominee's written answer in response to your Committee's written questions that, "I am dedicated to the veterans, I care about fairness, and I believe in service to my community."

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Anne V. Stevens from the State Department of Defense and one individual.

 

     The nominee represents the Oahu/Veteran appointment.  She is currently a volunteer with the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii and Family Promise.  Ms. Stevens served in the Hawaii State House of Representatives in 2006, representing House District 23.  Prior thereto she was the Office Manager for a state senator.  Ms. Stevens was the District Manager for Quay Cruise Agency and the Manager of the Norton Lilly Agency (maritime and steamship agency).

 

     Ms. Stevens served with the United States Coast Guard from 1983 to 1995 as a U.S. Coast Guard Officer.  Her last assignment was as an Operations Officer Coast Guard Base, Honolulu, Hawaii.

 

     Ms. Stevens received a B.A. degree from Springfield College, and completed the U.S. Coast Guard Office Candidate School.  She also completed the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  Ms. Stevens is a member of the Waikiki Rotary Club, and is on the Board of Advisors to the Hawaii Ocean Safety Team.

 

     Your Committee notes from the testimony of the State Department of Defense that, "Ms. Stevens has been proactive in making sure the new Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home in Hilo is veteran friendly.  She identifies issues and takes alternative approaches in making sure that all veterans are served and given their benefits under VA.  She is truly an advocate for veterans."  Your Committee further notes the personal statement of the nominee that she wishes to ensure that veterans receive the best services possible, and that that United States and Hawaii owe veterans an efficient and compassionate delivery of benefits.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that are 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 Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair