SSCR1606

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1606

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 570, 571, 572

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 570, 571, and 572, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology

G.M. No. 570

SHANNON CHING,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017;

G.M. No. 571

VALERY OBRIEN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017; and

G.M. No. 572

JUNE UYEHARA ISONO,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Shannon Ching, Valery O'Brien, and June Uyehara-Isono to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

SHANNON CHING

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Shannon Ching from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and two individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Ching's background, experience, and commitment to public service qualify him for appointment to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology as an audiologist member. Your Committee notes that Dr. Ching has private audiology practices in Hilo and Honolulu, consults for a medical clinic on Kauai, and is the audiology consultant for the District 50 Hawaii Lions Club hearing screening program. Your Committee further finds that Dr. Ching is an adjunct faculty member for the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Hawaii and previously served as the Chair of the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology from 1989 through 1992. Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Ching be appointed to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to serving the community.

VALERY O'BRIEN

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Valery O'Brien from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. O'Brien's background, experience, and commitment to community service qualify her for appointment to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology as a public member. Your Committee notes that Ms. O'Brien has a background in marketing and retired in 2014 after many years of working for Kamehameha Schools. Ms. O'Brien is active in various charitable organizations, including serving as the program chair for Easter Seals Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that Ms. O'Brien has served as an interim board member since July 2014 and has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members. Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. O'Brien be appointed to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology based on her knowledge, experience, and dedication to public service.

JUNE UYEHARA-ISONO

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of June Uyehara-Isono from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Uyehara-Isono's background, knowledge, and previous experience on the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology qualify her for reappointment to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology as an audiologist member. Your Committee notes that Dr. Uyehara-Isono has been a licensed audiologist in private practice for over three decades and has clinical service locations in Honolulu, Hilo, and Kailua-Kona. Your Committee further finds that Dr. Uyehara-Isono has been a member of the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology since July 2012 and her knowledge of the field of audiology continues to enhance the effectiveness of the Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Uyehara-Isono be reappointed to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology based on her knowledge, experience, and dedication to public service.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection 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 Commerce and Consumer Protection,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair