STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3820

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     GOV. MSG. NOS. 661, 662, 663, 664, 669, 670

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 661, 662, 663, 664, 669, and 670, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Early Learning Board

 

G.M. No. 661

CHERILYN SHIINOKI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 662

CHERILYN SHIINOKI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 663

ANN TOM,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 664

EDELUISA BAGUIO-LARENA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021;

 

G.M. No. 669

BENJAMIN NAKI III,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019; and

 

G.M. No. 670

MAUREEN RAWLINS,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Cherilyn Shiinoki, Ann Tom, Edeluisa Baguio-Larena, Benjamin Naki III, and Maureen Rawlins for service on the Early Learning Board.

 

CHERILYN SHIINOKI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Cherilyn Shiinoki from the Executive Office on Early Learning and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Shiinoki is presently the Executive Director for Family Hui Hawaii, which offers a peer-to-peer parenting support program, and has previous professional and volunteer experience as a Volunteer Intern for the State of Hawaii Governor's Executive Office on Early Learning; Education Specialist, Substitute Teacher, and Administrative Support at the University of Hawaii at Manoa Children's Center; and Children's Ministry Director for New Hope Diamond Head.  According to testimony, Ms. Shiinoki is highly respected by her peers and has a firm understanding of the Early Learning Board's objectives, strategies, and focuses.  In her personal statement, Ms. Shiinoki indicated that she hopes that the voices of families are represented on the Early Learning Board to design a sustainable early learning system in which children are healthy, valued, and successful in school and life.  Your Committee therefore finds that Ms. Shiinoki's professional background, as well as her dedication to serving the public, will be great assets to the Early Learning Board.

 

ANN TOM

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Ann Tom from the Executive Office on Early Learning and four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Tom is presently a Senior Outreach Program Specialist for the Learning to Grow Program under the University of Hawaii's Center on the Family and has previous work experience with the Center on the Family as a Project Coordinator for the Quality Care Program for Center-Based and Home-Based Child Care Providers, Senior Project Facilitator, and Project Coordinator.  According to the testimony, Ms. Tom is a strong advocate for young children, particularly those in the infant and toddler stages.  In her personal statement, Ms. Tom indicated that she believes that if the youngest children receive nurturing and responsive care from the beginning of their lives, many of the learning challenges in the schools could be prevented.  Your Committee therefore finds that Ms. Tom's professional experience in the fields of child development, child care, and early childhood education, as well as her desire to improve child care in the State, will continue to be great assets to the Early Learning Board.

 

EDELUISA BAGUIO-LARENA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Edeluisa Baguio-Larena from the Executive Office on Early Learning and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Baguio-Larena is presently the Chief Executive Officer for Maui Family Support Services, Inc., a non-profit agency serving Maui County, and has previous work experience as the Director of Early Childhood Education and Services, Program Supervisor, and Clinical Supervisor for Maui Family Support Services, Inc.  According to the testimony, Ms. Baguio-Larena's expertise as a home-visiting program provider has been valuable to the Early Learning Board in the past, as she offers an important perspective that emphasizes the variety of settings and choices families pursue in support of quality early learning and care.  In her personal statement, Ms. Baguio-Larena indicated that, as a member of the Early Learning Board completing her first term, she has attended all of the regular monthly board meetings and looks forward to actively participating in the finalization of the strategic plan of the Early Learning Board.  Your Committee therefore finds that Ms. Baguio-Larena's professional experience, as well as her willingness to serve, will continue to be great assets to the Early Learning Board.

 

BENJAMIN NAKI III

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Benjamin Naki III from the Executive Office on Early Learning, Parents and Children Together, and four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Naki is presently the Vice President of Early Education Programs for Parents and Children Together and has previous work experience as a Program Director, Assistant Director, Comprehensive Services Manager, Family Services Coordinator, and Father Facilitator for Parents and Children Together.  According to the testimony, Mr. Naki is an accomplished leader who has a clear understanding of the needs of the community and its consumers.  In his personal statement, Mr. Naki indicated that he believes his extensive experience in Head Start, Early Head Start, center-based preschool, and home visiting provides him with an overall understanding of the strengths and limitations of each model.  Your Committee therefore finds that Mr. Naki's vast professional experience, as well as his steadfast commitment to the children and families of Hawaii, will be great assets to the Early Learning Board.

 

MAUREEN RAWLINS

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Maureen Rawlins from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Executive Office on Early Learning, a member of the Hawaii County Council, Aha Pūnana Leo, Native Hawaiian Education Council, and ten individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Rawlins is presently the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations for Aha Pūnana Leo, Inc., as well as the Co-founder and Vice President of the National Coalition of Native American Language Schools and Programs.  Her previous work experience includes serving as the Executive Director of Aha Pūnana Leo, Inc., a position she held for eighteen years.  According to the testimony, Ms. Rawlins is intimately familiar with the concerns and needs of Hawaiian language medium early learning providers.  In her personal statement, Ms. Rawlins indicated that, as the representative of Hawaiian language medium early learning providers on the Early Learning Board, she has been able to ensure that the voice for Hawaiian speaking families and children are considered in decisions being made in early childhood development and care.  Your Committee therefore finds that Ms. Rawlins's willingness to serve, as well as her perspective on Hawaiian medium early education, will continue to be great assets to the Early Learning Board.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair