STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1658

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, and 673, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs

 

G.M. No. 667

JAMES CISLER,

for a term to expire 6-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 668

PATRICK DUARTE,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017;

 

G.M. No. 669

ANTHONY LENZER,

for a term to expire 6-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 670

MARILYN SEELY,

for a term to expire 6-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 671

TRACEY WILTGEN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 672

LAUREL COLEMAN, MD,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017; and

 

G.M. No. 673

F. ADELE RUGG,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds James Cisler, Patrick Duarte, Anthony Lenzer, Marilyn Seely, Tracey Wiltgen, Laurel Coleman, and F. Adele Rugg to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

 

JAMES CISLER

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of James Cisler from the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Cisler's experience in business, public relations, and communications qualify him to serve on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Cisler was formerly a Customer Service Specialist at AmSan, LLC, and was the owner and operator of Treehouse Restaurant in Eugene, Oregon, for twenty years.  He is retired with a business background that includes experience in advertising and promotions, public relations, operations, customer service, and sales support.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Cisler strives to make a positive contribution during retirement, and his enthusiasm, strong work ethic, and leadership skills are valuable contributions to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  In his personal statement, Mr. Cisler emphasized the importance of good communication and hands-on experience when working to improve the quality of life of Hawaii's aging population.  Finally, your Committee finds that Mr. Cisler is a Native Hawaiian and lives on the Island of Hawaii, which provides valuable representation and perspective to the Board.

 

PATRICK DUARTE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Patrick Duarte from the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Duarte's business background and experience representing the senior living and senior care industry qualify him to serve on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Mr. Duarte is the Chief Executive Officer of Kahala Senior Living Community, Inc., a continuing care retirement community that provides residential and health services to over four hundred fifty individuals each day.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Duarte has provided leadership and financial oversight for Kahala Senior Living Community, Inc., as well as developed a strategic direction for the organization and an infrastructure that will enable a transition to self-management.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Duarte has spent much of his career in the health care field, and has a strong background in strategic planning, organizational development, financial oversight, and assisting businesses with growth.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Duarte is involved with many community organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors of Sutter Health Pacific and the Better Business Bureau Foundation.  Mr. Duarte is also Director of Mental Health Kokua, an important organization in the community that provides a continuum of treatment and housing services to individuals with mental illness.  In his personal statement, Mr. Duarte indicated that he hopes to work toward the implementation of the strategic plan that the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs has spent significant time developing.

 

ANTHONY LENZER

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Anthony Lenzer from the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Lenzer's experience and extensive background in the field of aging qualify him to serve on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Prior to retirement, Dr. Lenzer helped establish the Center on Aging at the University of Hawaii.  Dr. Lenzer was a faculty member at the University of Hawaii for many years, and during this time he developed aging research and teaching, developed two certificate programs and an award-winning PBS series and college telecourse titled "Growing Old in a New Age", and served as the first Director for the University of Hawaii's Center on Aging.  Your Committee notes that since retiring, Dr. Lenzer has remained actively involved in advocacy, public policy development, and community education on aging, long-term care, and death and dying.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Lenzer has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to senior advocacy organizations in the community.  Dr. Lenzer previously served as Chair of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs' Legislative Committee for several years.  He also served as President of the Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, Vice President of the Kokua Council, and President of the Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society.  In his retirement, Dr. Lenzer continues to actively contribute to these organizations and efforts to develop public policies and programs that will improve the lives of seniors in Hawaii.  In his personal statement, Dr. Lenzer indicated he hopes to develop a sustained program that values older individuals as assets and not simply liabilities.

 

MARILYN SEELY

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Marilyn Seely from the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Seely's experience and long professional history in the field of gerontology qualify her to serve on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Ms. Seely was employed with the Executive Office on Aging for seventeen years, including eight years as Director.  During her time with the Executive Office on Aging, Ms. Seely coordinated many efforts related to long-term care education and public awareness efforts, facilitated policy and program development for aging issues, and coordinated a long-term care financing initiative.  Her experience at the Executive Office on Aging allowed her to work closely with the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs and gain firsthand knowledge about the Board.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Seely has remained active in many organizations since her retirement from state government.  She is involved in end-of-life care as a volunteer Board member for Hospice Hawaii and Kokua Mau.  She is also on the Board of Directors of the Kokua Council and is a member of the legislative Kupuna Caucus.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Seely is well respected as a committed and passionate advocate for the elderly and, as such, can contribute meaningfully to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

 

TRACEY WILTGEN

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Tracey Wiltgen from the Mediation Centers of Hawaii, National Resource Center for Native Hawaiian Elders, and nine individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Wiltgen's legal background, experience conducting dispute resolution, and involvement with efforts related to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias qualify her to serve on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  For the last sixteen years, Ms. Wiltgen has served as Executive Director of The Mediation Center of the Pacific, Inc.  In this role, Ms. Wiltgen oversees operations and programs for the nonprofit as well as consults with other agencies such as the Hawaii State Judiciary, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, and Department of Education to develop in-house mediation and dispute resolution programs.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Wiltgen developed the Kupuna Pono program at the Mediation Center of the Pacific to support the elderly and their families in talking about sensitive issues and working through family conflict.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Wiltgen is actively involved in the community as a member of numerous groups and associations, including serving as a member of the Special Advisory Panel overseeing the implementation of Hawaii 2015:  State Plan on Alzheimer's Disease and Other Related Dementias and the Alzheimer's and Other Dementias Hawaii Task Force.  Ms. Wiltgen has also demonstrated leadership roles in various legal associations such as the Rotary Club of Honolulu and the Hawaii Association for Conflict Resolution.  Your Committee recognizes that Ms. Wiltgen was a caregiver for her parents for sixteen years and through that experience learned about many frustrations faced by the elderly.  Ms. Wiltgen indicated in her personal statement that she hopes to develop dementia-friendly communities throughout Hawaii and establish convenient resource centers for the elderly and their families on all islands.

 

LAUREL COLEMAN

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Laurel Coleman from one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Coleman's medical experience in the field of geriatrics and specialized knowledge about Alzheimer's disease qualify her to serve on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Dr. Coleman practiced as a physician in the geriatrics division of a medical center for seven years and has been heavily involved in palliative care medicine, hospice, and elder and adult services throughout her medical career.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Coleman earned a Certificate of Added Qualification in Geriatric Medicine in 1994, and has committed her career to the field of aging since that time.  Dr. Coleman expressed in her personal statement that she seeks to empower older adults by providing them with as many options as possible to be independent, vital, and valued members of the community.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Coleman has actively participated in numerous organizations and delivered over two hundred lectures on aging and Alzheimer's disease.  She has served on the National Board of the Alzheimer's Association, the National Alzheimer's Advisory Council in Washington, D.C., and many community boards related to aging.  Your Committee finds that Dr. Coleman's extensive regional and national experience will be assets to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, as will her important representation of the Island of Kauai.

 

F. ADELE RUGG

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of F. Adele Rugg from the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Rugg's insight into issues on aging and extensive dedication to the community qualify her to serve on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Rugg's community service efforts were recognized in 2011 when she was named "Outstanding Older American" for Maui County as well as "Person of the Year" by the Maui Time.  While living on Maui for over thirty-five years, Ms. Rugg has been an extremely involved citizen.  In addition to being a retired County of Maui employee, Ms. Rugg serves as a board member of Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.; board member of Kihei Community Association; board member of the Alzheimer's Association, Aloha Chapter; member of the Planning and Coordinating Council consisting of the leaders of all sixty senior clubs on Maui; distinguished member of the Kiwanis Club of Kahului; member of the South Maui Chapter of AARP; volunteer at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, and a trainer with the American Cancer Society to assist breast cancer survivors.  Ms. Rugg has an abundance of compassion and helps those in need, volunteering as a caregiver to a ninety-year-old woman on Maui, as turtle patrol on North Kihei Beach, and as a Citizen on Patrol helping to keep Maui's parks and beaches safe.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Rugg has been appointed to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs due to her well-deserved reputation as an energetic advocate for Hawaii's kupuna.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair