STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1709

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 876, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 883

 

 

 

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. 876, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, and 883, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Rehabilitation Council

 

G.M. No. 876

GEORGE MASSENGALE

for a term to expire 06-30-2016;

 

G.M. No. 877

GWEN KELIIHOOMALU

for a term to expire 06-30-2017;

 

G.M. No. 878

MARK TRAVALINO

for a term to expire 06-30-2016;

 

G.M. No. 879

MICHELE KU

for a term to expire 06-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 880

RENE BERTHIAUME

for a term to expire 06-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 881

RODERICK MACDONALD

for a term to expire 06-30-2016;

 

G.M. No. 882

LANELLE YAMANE

for a term to expire 06-30-2016; and

 

G.M. No. 883

KRISTINE TAKEKAWA

for a term to expire 06-30-2017,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds George Massengale, Gwen Keliihoomalu, Mark Travalino, Michele Ku, Rene Berthiaume, Roderick MacDonald, Lanelle Yamane, and Kristine Takekawa to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the State Rehabilitation Council.

 

GEORGE MASSENGALE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of George Massengale from the Department of Human Services and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Massengale's background as a health advocate and advocate for individuals with disabilities qualify him to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council.  Mr. Massengale was introduced to vocational rehabilitation early in his career, working first at Lanakila Crafts and later at Goodwill Industries as an Operation Director.  He eventually moved into private sector rehabilitation as a Disability Manager, providing vocational counseling, job placement and development, workplace accessibility consulting, and vocational and psychological evaluations.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Massengale became a health advocate later in his career, working for many years with the American Cancer Society as Policy and Advocacy Director for the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii and as Legislative and Government Relations Director.  Your Committee notes that in addition to devoting his career to helping improve the lives of individuals with disabilities, the mentally ill, and the elderly, Mr. Massengale is active in the community as a member of the American Cancer Society, Hawaii Public Health Association, and Hawaii Audubon Society.  In his personal statement, Mr. Massengale notes the exciting changes ahead as Hawaii works to meet the mandate of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, which requires state vocational rehabilitation agencies to work with schools to provide transition services to all students with disabilities.

 


GWEN KELIIHOOMALU

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Gwen Keliihoomalu from the Department of Human Services.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Keliihoomalu's extensive background as a rehabilitation and vocational counselor qualifies her to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council.  Ms. Keliihoomalu has worked with individuals with disabilities for over forty years, twenty-five of which have been in the field of vocational rehabilitation.  Through this experience, she has developed expertise working with many types of disabilities including orthopedic, spinal cord injuries and amputees, psychiatric, alcohol and drug disorders, visual impairments, and neurological disorders.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Keliihoomalu is a licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Registered Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist, and a certified Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor.  She is also an approved vocational expert for the Social Security Administration, and qualified to conduct rehabilitation feasibility evaluations, vocational testing, veteran assessments, and wage loss analysis.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Keliihoomalu is a committed advocate for individuals with disabilities and she expressed in her personal statement the desire to establish more meaningful vocational rehabilitation services in Hawaii.

 

MARK TRAVALINO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Mark Travalino from the Department of Human Services and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Travalino's experience in the labor industry qualifies him to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council.  Mr. Travalino has been a Field Representative with Local 368 of the Laborer's International Union of North America for over twenty-five years.  In this capacity, Mr. Travalino addresses work related injuries and the vocational rehabilitation needs of union members in the normal course of business.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Travalino's participation on the State Rehabilitation Council will provide valuable insight into the needs of business and labor, as he represents how the union members experience the vocational rehabilitation process when attempting to return to work.  Mr. Travalino indicated in his personal statement the importance of individuals needing to become gainfully employed, and the difficulty and mental stress workers experience when they attempt to re-enter the workforce after an accident.

 

MICHELE KU

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Michele Ku from the Department of Human Services and four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Ku's experience running an organization that employs persons with disabilities and her demonstrated commitment to advocacy qualify her to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council.  Ms. Ku has worked for the Arc of Kona for ten years, first as the Director of Program Services and currently as the President and Chief Executive Officer.  In her personal statement, Ms. Ku expressed her passion for making a lasting difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Ku has extensive experience working with individuals who experience barriers to employment, and that she is also a committed public servant with proven leadership skills.  Ms. Ku serves on the Board of Directors of the Hamakua-Kohala Health Center and the Community Advisory Board of the North Hawaii Community Hospital.  Ms. Ku's community involvement is also demonstrated by her participation with the Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise, Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Business Leadership Network, and Hawaii Island Women's Leadership Forum.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Ku's visionary leadership and collaborative approach to problem solving will benefit the State Rehabilitation Council.

 

RENE BERTHIAUME

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Rene Berthiaume from the Department of Human Services and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Berthiaume's experience with community rehabilitation programs and extensive community involvement qualify him to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council.  Mr. Berthiaume is a private consultant, having worked for over thirty years at Network Enterprises Inc., a community rehabilitation program in Honolulu from which he recently retired from his position as Vice President.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Berthiaume is an extremely involved community member, volunteering his time to an impressive array of organizations.  In addition to the State Rehabilitation Council, Mr. Berthiaume is the founder of the National Coalition of State Rehabilitation Councils, serves on the Commission of Accreditation Rehabilitation Facilities, and is a member of numerous housing and veteran agencies.  Your Committee notes that as the founder of the National Coalition of State Rehabilitation Councils and founding member of the Hawaii Coalition for Affordable Housing, Mr. Berthiaume has made lasting contributions to the community.  He is still a very active public servant, currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, the Governor's Affordable Housing Task Force, and recently the State Commemorative Planning Committee for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Vietnam War.

 

RODERICK MACDONALD

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Roderick MacDonald from the Department of Human Services; Aloha State Association of the Deaf; Hawaii Deaf Surfriders Association; Gallaudet University Alumni Association, Hawaii Chapter; and four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. MacDonald's extensive work advocating for deaf and blind individuals as well as his personal experience as a deaf and blind individual qualify him to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council.  Dr. MacDonald is a retiree from the United States Department of Labor where he worked as a Management Analyst for twenty-seven years.  Your Committee notes that Dr. MacDonald has experience with vocational rehabilitation, spending nine of his working years in various rehabilitation programs.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. MacDonald is a life-long advocate for the deaf and blind community.  He served as President of the American Association of the Deaf-Blind for twelve years, Vice-President of the World Federation of the Deaf-Blind for four years, and was a member of the Standing Committee on Activities of Deaf-Blind Persons of the World Blind Union for eight years.  One program Dr. MacDonald helped organize was an exchange program that allowed deaf-blind Americans to attend conventions in Europe.  Dr. MacDonald indicated in his personal statement a desire for meaningful "connect" between consumer needs and the actual services that individuals with disabilities receive.  Dr. MacDonald has received numerous awards for his enduring efforts to help the deaf-blind community.

 

LANELLE YAMANE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Lanelle Yamane from the Department of Human Services, Hawaii Rehabilitation Counseling Association, and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Yamane's diversified experience in the field of vocational rehabilitation qualifies her to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council.  Ms. Yamane has experience working for the Department of Human Services' Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and is currently a private vocational rehabilitation service provider.  In addition to being a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Ms. Yamane is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and qualified as an expert witness on issues pertaining to social security.  In addition to her own work caseload, Ms. Yamane supervises practicum students for the University of Hawaii's Rehabilitation Counseling program.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Yamane was recognized as Rehabilitation Counselor of the Year in 2010.  Your Committee finds that in addition to being highly respected in her profession, Ms. Yamane is a valued leader and public servant.  She currently is the President-Elect to the Hawaii Rehabilitation Counselor Association and a member of the National Rehabilitation Counseling Association and International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals.  As a representative from the Island of Hawaii, Ms. Yamane expressed in her personal statement the hope to provide vocational rehabilitation services fairly and adequately across the State.

 

KRISTINE TAKEKAWA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Kristine Takekawa from the Department of Human Services and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Takekawa's experience with the Department of Education and work with students who have hearing and vision loss qualify her to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council.  Dr. Takekawa is an Educational Specialist with the Department of Education and is responsible for the education of students with sensory losses.  Previously, Dr. Takekawa served as the audiologist on the Diagnostic Team at the Hawaii Center for the Deaf and Blind, as well as Administrator of the Newborn Hearing Screening Program for the Hawaii Department of Health's Zero-to-Three Project.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Takekawa shares her audiology expertise with the community by serving on the Hoopono Advisory Board which provides guidance and support to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.  In her personal statement, Dr. Takekawa indicated she hopes to provide ideas and information to the State Rehabilitation Council that can create a smooth process for students with disabilities and help them be happy and productive members of the community.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Takekawa will bring needed collaboration to the Council as it works to create new services for youth with disabilities that are required by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.

 

     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