STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2822

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 593

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, and 593, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Rehabilitation Council

 

G.M. No. 533

VIVIAN LANDRUM,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014;

 

G.M. No. 534

ARTHUR CABANILLA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014;

 

G.M. No. 535

FRANCINE KENYON,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013;

 

G.M. No. 536

GUY TAJIRI,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014;

 

G.M. No. 537

FINIA KACHITA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013; and

 

G.M. No. 593

BRANDON MORITA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Vivian Landrum, Arthur Cabanilla, Francine Kenyon, Guy Tajiri, Finia Kachita, and Brandon Morita to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the State Rehabilitation Council.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Vivian Landrum from the Workforce Development Division of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaii, American Savings Bank, Current Events, and Kohala Coast Resort Association.

 

     Ms. Landrum is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce.  She has an extensive background and knowledge of the business industry focusing on tourism and the promotion of the Big Island of Hawaii.  Ms. Landrum has demonstrated dedication to the disabled population and initiative by participating in numerous meetings and forums aimed at encouraging and improving the business linkages that support the disabled community.

 

     Ms. Landrum feels her nomination to the State Rehabilitation Council is an ideal position for her to apply her educational degrees in speech and hearing sciences and special education, call upon her network of contacts, and utilize her strengths of organization, responsibility, commitment, and professionalism.

 

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Ms. Landrum has the experience, leadership, and willingness to serve the community.  Her educational background, extensive work experience, and her participation in various community service activities will ensure that the State Rehabilitation Council will be responsive to the needs of the business customer and ensure an effective and integrated system for jobseekers with disabilities.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Arthur Cabanilla from the Department of Human Services; the Hawaii Association of the Blind; Island Skill Gathering; Hoopono Services for the Blind; Taylannas, Inc.; and one individual.

 

Your Committee finds that Mr. Cabanilla will provide representation to the State Rehabilitation Council as an advocate and a previous recipient of services from the Hawaii Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the Blind.

 

     Mr. Cabanilla is certified as an Access Technology Specialist and is dedicated to working with individuals with disabilities and provides training and assessment in the skills of assistive technology.  His service as a trainer of access technology teaches blind individuals the computer skills they need to successfully compete in today's job market.

 

     Mr. Cabanilla brings to the Council his personal experience as an individual who has experienced personal blindness for the majority of his childhood and entire adult life.

 

     He has been involved with the blind community in various capacities, including serving on several different consumer boards for the blind.  His experience includes serving on the Board of Directors for the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii and being active on the Consumer Advisory Board for the Library of the Blind and Physically Handicapped and Dyslexic, an organization he has been with for the last fifteen years.  More recently, he was elected to the Board of Directors for the Hawaii Association of the Blind and presides as Chair on Hoopono's Consumer Advisory Board, a position he has held for the past two years.

 

Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Mr. Cabanilla is an active member in organizations dedicated to the disabled, specifically individuals who are visually impaired, and a strong advocate for the independence of people with disabilities.  His focus is on expanding the opportunities for people with disabilities to enable them to dream, aspire, and attain their goals within a career and employment of their choice.

 

     Mr. Cabanilla indicated in his personal statement that having faced his own personal physical disability and challenges that come with being blind will make his contributions to the Council of great value to Hawaii's disabled community.  He strongly believes that physical barriers are not a disability, but rather a measure of one's ability to overcome the odds and challenges associated with the barriers.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Francine Kenyon from the Department of Human Services, the Disability and Communication Access Board, and the American Red Cross.

 

     Ms. Kenyon is an active member of the disabled community and an individual who is hearing impaired.  She has a long history of public service confirmed by her participation in numerous organizations as a volunteer, including the American Red Cross, the Access Advisory Council of the City and County of Honolulu Parks and Recreation Department, the Statewide Independent Living Council, and the Deaf and Disability Ministry Commission of Harris United Methodist Church.

 

     Ms. Kenyon is currently a Recreation Assistant for the City and County of Honolulu Parks and Recreation Department.  There she fosters and encourages independence and interaction of people with disabilities with other participants in recreational activity programs.  She also provides in-service training on sign language to the park staff, junior and senior leaders, and camp counselors to enhance communication access between them and individuals who are hearing impaired.

 

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates Ms. Kenyon to be a highly qualified individual bringing over 40 years of advocacy and education, her experience with the integration of disabled individuals into mainstream society, and her advocacy of increasing the quality of life for disabled individuals.  Ms. Kenyon is one of Hawaii's leaders in the deaf community and is knowledgeable on disability-related issues with an emphasis on deaf and hard of hearing issues.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Kenyon is an excellent example of an individual with a disability taking the opportunity, given the available training and tools, to achieve the same level of education and employment as that of her non-disabled counterparts.  Her skills and dedication will make her an asset to the State Rehabilitation Council.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Guy Tajiri from the Department of Human Services and the Hawaii Employers Council.

 

     Mr. Tajiri is a Senior Labor Relations Consultant and has exhibited his dedication to advocating for the rights of others.  He has over 30 years in the labor industry working at such places as the Hawaii Employers Council, the Department of Education, the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, and the Hawaii Government Employees Association.  First as a union representative and now working within the management side of the labor industry, Mr. Tajiri brings to the Council the important perspectives of both the employee and employer in labor issues.

 

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Mr. Tajiri has demonstrated a strong dedication and willingness to create a better work environment for all.  He has a unique ability to facilitate a collaborative approach to tackling work-related problems and brings a positive attitude that is infectious and a work ethic that is inspiring.  Mr. Tajiri brings a positive respect for the processes of government resources and the necessity to bridge the gap of misunderstandings toward a positive perception of the employment of individuals with disabilities.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Tajiri's professional experience offers a much-needed network that can support the awareness and education of the abilities of individuals with disabilities to Hawaii's businesses and employers.  He has a lifetime of personal and professional awareness of the diverse cultural needs of Hawaii's labor market and will bring this unique perspective to the Council.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Finia Kachita from the Department of Human Services.

 

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Ms. Kachita has been a resident of Hawaii since 2006, arriving from Chuuk and Guam to begin her own pursuit of vocational rehabilitation and her career path through higher education at the University of Hawaii.  She brings a much needed perspective as a young adult from a Micronesian Pacific Rim nation and a recipient of training services from the Department of Human Services' Hoopono Services for the Blind program.

 

     Ms. Kachita brings to the Council a lifetime of living in diverse cultural environments as an individual with a disability.  She is a leader in local and national consumer group activities and is an advocate for the rights of her disabled comrades.  Ms. Kachita also continues to be a mentor to others.  She maintains that given the right opportunity, training, and tools, people with disabilities can achieve the same level of education and employment as their non-disabled counterparts.

 

     Ms. Kachita indicated in her personal statement that she is steadfast in her commitment to being the voice of disabled consumers.  She wants to help make a difference in the lives of Hawaii's disabled and would like to enable them to achieve successful employment and ultimately a quality life.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Kachita's desire to assist people and willingness to listen to others and come to a solution that addresses everyone's concerns are strengths that make her a valuable member of the State Rehabilitation Council.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for Brandon Morita from the Department of Human Services, Lanakila Pacific, and one individual.

 

     Mr. Morita is a Financial Advisor with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, a large corporate finance company, and brings to the Council a background and education in business administration with a focus on accounting and finance.  In his current position, Mr. Morita provides customized financial solutions to meet the long-term financial goals and objectives of his clients.

 

     As an individual with a close family member with a lifetime disability, Mr. Morita understands the need for resources, training, and services dedicated to individuals with disabilities to help them attain a quality life.

 

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Mr. Morita brings to the Council a commitment to those with disabilities, his professional and personal values, and his vision that people with disabilities can achieve a life of quality and community integration equal to their non-disabled peers given the right opportunities, tools, and resources.

 

     Mr. Morita indicated in his personal statement that he understands the importance of giving back to the community.  He finds himself to be well-qualified for the position as he has worked with many different kinds of people from all walks of life.  He assures the State Rehabilitation Council that he has the public's best interest in mind and at heart.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Morita's strong business and financial background will provide the State Rehabilitation Council with business and labor representation.  Your Committee also finds that Mr. Morita's ability to reach beyond differences such as age and ability will allow the Council to come together on decisions that best meet the needs of the disabled community.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services 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 Human Services,

 

 

 

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair