STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1359

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 508

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 508, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Deputy Director of the Department of Health

 

G.M. No. 508

KEITH YAMAMOTO,

for a term to expire 12-3-2018,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history and resume submitted by the nominee and finds Keith Yamamoto to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated as the Deputy Director of the Department of Health.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Keith Yamamoto from the Governor's Office; Department of Health; Department of Human Services; Department of Human Resources Development; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Department of Transportation; Department of Taxation; Department of Budget and Finance; Communicable Disease and Public Health Nursing Division, Department of Health; State Laboratories Division, Department of Health; Executive Office on Aging; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Office of Planning and Policy, Department of Health; United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO; American Medical Response; Hale Kipa; The Salvation Army-Family Intervention Services; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and forty-one individuals.

 

     Mr. Yamamoto received a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Services from the University of Northern Colorado.  He is also a Certified Substance Abuse Program Administrator.

 

     Your Committee finds that, consistent with the exemplary comments submitted on his behalf, Mr. Yamamoto has work experience in a variety of state departments, including the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.  He has demonstrated an excellent understanding of and leadership disposition in his current role as Deputy Director of the Department of Health, where he oversees the general administration of the Department, including issues related to budget, facilities management, human resources, information technology, and compliance.  Prior to this position, Mr. Yamamoto served as the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administrator for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division and Program Development Administrator for the Office of Youth Services.

 

     Mr. Yamamoto demonstrates a good understanding and ability to navigate the systems within the Department of Health to address the fiscal needs of the Department, while continuing to establish a foundation to effect change and improvement.  He recognizes that his role is to continue to view the work of the Department as transformational and improve operational efficiencies.

 

     Mr. Yamamoto indicated in his personal statement that, if afforded the opportunity to continue to serve as Deputy Director of the Department of Health, one of his primary objectives within the Department of Health would be to fully implement and establish permanent operational structures related to the various administration improvement projects and initiatives that have been established in recent years.  He also would like to initiate projects related to the development and promulgation of administrative rules, establishing a system of training and technical support related to procurement to assist staff, and streamlining efficiencies in various human resource functions.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Yamamoto's familiarity with the Department of Health, along with his commitment to improving systems and processes within the Department of Health, will assist him in carrying out his duties as Deputy Director of the Department of Health.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair