STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2170

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     GOV. MSG. NOS. 728, 729, 730, 732, 733, 734, 735, 736

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 728, 729, 730, 732, 733, 734, 735, and 736, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Rehabilitation Council

 

G.M. No. 728

HELEN SANPEI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 729

HELEN SANPEI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022;

 

G.M. No. 730

HOWARD LESSER,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022;

 

G.M. No. 732

ARTHUR CABANILLA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021;

 

G.M. No. 733

JODI ASATO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022;

 

G.M. No. 734

MICHELE KU,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021;

 

G.M. No. 735

TERRY-ANN MOSES,

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

 

G.M. No. 736

TERRY-ANN MOSES,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Helen Sanpei, Howard Lesser, Arthur Cabanilla, Jodi Asato, Michele Ku, and Terry-Ann Moses for service on the State Rehabilitation Board.

 

HELEN SANPEI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Helen Sanpei from the Department of Human Services and State Rehabilitation Council.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Sanpei's knowledge of the education system, leadership skills, and commitment to serve qualify her to be nominated for appointment and reappointment to the State Rehabilitation Council.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Sanpei has been the Principal at McKinley Community School for Adults for sixteen years.  Ms. Sanpei previously served as a Principal, Vice Principal, counselor, and teacher for numerous schools.  Ms. Sanpei also is involved in professional and community activities and is the Chairperson and Committee Member for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accreditation and a Hawaii School Leadership Academy Mentor Principal.  For nearly fifty years, Ms. Sanpei has been involved in the education of Hawaii's students.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Sanpei be appointed and reappointed to the State Rehabilitation Council based on her decades of experience educating Hawaii's students, leadership skills, and commitment to the education community.

 

HOWARD LESSER

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Howard Lesser from the Department of Human Services, State Rehabilitation Council, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Oahu County Democrats, and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Lesser's professional experience, background, and proven leadership on the State Rehabilitation Council qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the State Rehabilitation Council.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Lesser has worked as an advocate for individuals with diverse and significant disabilities for forty years and has distinguished himself with his dedication to this field.  Mr. Lesser is also involved in the community as a member of the Children's Coordinating Council, a member of the Hawaii Diabetes Association in Hawaii, and a volunteer for the National Kidney Foundation.  In his personal statement, Mr. Lesser expressed his passion for serving as the representative of the Client Assistance Program for the Council.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Lesser has been a member of the State Rehabilitation Council since 2016 and currently serves as the Council's Vice Chair.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Lesser be reappointed to the State Rehabilitation Council based on his decades of experience, commitment to assisting individuals with disabilities, and prior leadership on the Council.

 

ARTHUR CABANILLA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Arthur Cabanilla from the Department of Human Services; State Rehabilitation Council; and Oahu County Committee, Oahu County Democrats.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the reappointment of Arthur Cabanilla from two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Cabanilla's experience and dedication to helping individuals with disabilities qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the State Rehabilitation Council.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Cabanilla is the owner and founder of Six Sense Solutions and has spent the past twenty-seven years in the disability field with a focus in assistive technology for individuals who are blind.  Mr. Cabanilla has been involved with the blind community in various capacities, including as a member of the State Rehabilitation Council, an Advisory Board Member for the Library of the Blind, and President of the Hawaii Association of the Blind.  In his personal statement, Mr. Cabanilla gave his sincerest assurance that he will work diligently with the other council members toward addressing the educational vocational and employment challenges for all disabled individuals in Hawaii.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Cabanilla be reappointed to the State Rehabilitation Council based on his experience and commitment to public service.

 

JODI ASATO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Jodi Asato from the Department of Human Services and State Rehabilitation Council.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Asato's experience and demonstrated commitment to helping individuals with disabilities qualify her to be nominated for reappointment to the State Rehabilitation Council.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Asato is a Counselor at the Disability Student Services Office at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she is responsible for ensuring equal access for students with disabilities to all educational opportunities offered by the university, and has spent eighteen years in the disability field with a focus in assistive technology for people with disabilities of all ages.  In her personal statement, Ms. Asato expressed her desire to continue to promote collaboration and build partnerships with schools and employers to give individuals with disabilities access to meaningful employment and postsecondary options.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Asato be reappointed to the State Rehabilitation Council based on her knowledge, experience, and commitment to helping individuals with disabilities.

 

MICHELE KU

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Michele Ku from the Department of Human Services and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the reappointment of Michele Ku from the Democratic Party of Hawaii Labor Caucus, Health Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and eight individuals.  Your Committee received comments on the nomination for the reappointment of Michele Ku from one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Ku's background, commitment to advocacy, and proven leadership as the Chair of the State Rehabilitation Council qualify her to be nominated for reappointment to the State Rehabilitation Council.  Ms. Ku has worked on behalf of individuals with disabilities with the Arc of Kona for fourteen years, first as the Director of Program Services, and currently as the President and Chief Executive Officer, and therefore understands the system in which individuals with disabilities need to find services and support.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Ku serves as the Board Vice President for the Hawaii Island Workforce and Economic Development Ohana and is on the Board of Directors of the Hamakua Youth Foundation.  Ms. Ku has extensive experience working with individuals who experience barriers to employment and is also a committed public servant with proven leadership skills.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Ku be reappointed to the State Rehabilitation Counsel based on her experience, leadership, and collaborative approach to problem solving.

 

TERRY-ANN MOSES

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Terry-Ann Moses from the Department of Human Services and State Rehabilitation Council.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Moses' background, advocacy skills, and commitment to helping individuals with disabilities qualify her to be nominated for appointment and reappointment to the State Rehabilitation Council.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Moses is currently the Clubhouse Director of the Friendship House Clubhouse in Kapaa, Hawaii, where she provides counseling and job readiness assistance and develops business relationships to help individuals with mental illnesses obtain meaningful employment.  Ms. Moses has spent over fifteen years providing services to mentally ill individuals.  Most of her professional experience has been focused on providing disability related support and services, primarily for individuals with a diagnosis of mental illness.  Ms. Moses is a strong advocate who is passionate about eliminating barriers for individuals with disabilities.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Moses be appointed and reappointed to the State Rehabilitation Council based on her experience in mental health, community outreach, and her commitment to assist individuals with disabilities.

 

     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,

 

 

 

____________________________

RUSSELL E. RUDERMAN, Chair