STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3571

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 617, 618, 619, 620

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 617, 618, 619, and 620, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Hawaii Paroling Authority

 

G.M. No. 617

EDMUND HYUN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 618

MAX OTANI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022;

 

G.M. No. 619

CLAYTON HEE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023; and

 

G.M. No. 620

CHERYL INOUYE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Edmund Hyun, Max Otani, Clayton Hee, and Cheryl Inouye for service on the Hawaii Paroling Authority.

 

EDMUND HYUN

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Edmund Hyun from the Department of Public Safety and four individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the reappointment of Edmund Hyun from four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Hyun's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify him to be nominated for reappointment to the Hawaii Paroling Authority.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Hyun is currently the Chairperson of the Hawaii Paroling Authority.  Mr. Hyun has extensive experience in the public and private sectors as a Disaster Preparedness Instructor for Lyon Associates and as Special Projects Coordinator for the Honolulu Liquor Commission.  Your Committee further notes that Mr. Hyun has served as the Chairperson of the Hawaii Paroling Authority since August 2016 and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Hawaii Paroling Authority.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Hyun be reappointed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority based on his proven knowledge of, and experience in, the Authority and commitment to public service.

 

MAX OTANI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Max Otani from the Department of Public Safety, Hina Mauka, and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Max Otani from one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Otani's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Hawaii Paroling Authority.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Otani's has over thirteen years of experience at the Department of Public Safety, where he most recently served as the Division Administrator at the Intake Service Center where he managed the pretrial operations of the Department.  Mr. Otani also served as the Deputy Director of Corrections for the Department of Public Safety from 2013 to 2014.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Otani has extensive experience at the Hawaii Paroling Authority as a Field Service Branch Administrator, Paroles and Pardons Administrator, Field Service Branch Administrator, and other positions.  During the course of Mr. Otani's public service career at the Department of Public Safety and Judiciary, he has gained broad experiences and extensive knowledge regarding the various issues relating to corrections in the State.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Otani be appointed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

CLAYTON HEE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Clayton Hee from the Department of Public Safety; Hina Mauka; Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; and nine individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Clayton Hee from one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Hee's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Hawaii Paroling Authority.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Hee has many years of experience as an elected official having first been elected to the Hawaii State House of Representatives in 1982 and served there until he was elected to the Hawaii State Senate in 1984.  Mr. Hee subsequently went on to serve as a State Senator for a total of fourteen years.  Additionally, Mr. Hee was elected as a Trustee of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for twelve years, of which he spent six years as the Chairperson.  During his time at the Senate, Mr. Hee was a longtime Chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor where he authored numerous bills that relate to the state penal code and has a thorough understanding of the penal code.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Hee's extensive experience in public service and vast knowledge of state law, particularly the penal code, will enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Paroling Authority.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Hee be appointed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

CHERYL INOUYE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Cheryl Inouye from the Department of Public Safety and Hina Mauka.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Inouye's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Hawaii Paroling Authority.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Inouye was a social worker in various branches at the Judiciary for roughly thirty-five years.  Ms. Inouye served in a variety of probation officer positions and specialized in supervision and treatment of felony sex offenders and high-risk substance abusers.  Ms. Inouye was instrumental in improving the State's criminal justice system; having developed the first sex offender unit in the State.  She created and piloted an innovative domestic violence intervention strategy for felony domestic offenders, developed a specialized unit to manage high risk substance abusers, and co-developed an effective strategy for managing probation violations, which is currently known as Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Inouye has a thorough understanding of issues in the State relating to criminal justice and her extensive experience in criminal justice in the State will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Paroling Authority.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Inouye be appointed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs 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 Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair