STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1686

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 773, 774, 775, 777, 778

 

 

 

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. 773, 774, 775, 777, and 778, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Directors of the Hawai'i Health Connector

 

G.M. No. 773

ANDREW GARRETT,

for a term to expire 6-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 774

CALVIN L. HUTTON,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015;

 

G.M. No. 775

CALVIN L. HUTTON,

for a term to expire 6-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 777

JOANNE H. KEALOHA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018; and

 

G.M. No. 778

RICHARD KEENE,

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 Andrew Garrett, Calvin L. Hutton, Joanne H. Kealoha, and Richard Keene to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Health Connector.

 

ANDREW GARRETT

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Andrew Garrett from the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Board of Directors of the Hawai‘i Health Connector, Hawai‘i Primary Care Association, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs, The Queen's Health Systems, and five individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Garrett's background, experience, and commitment to community service qualify him for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Health Connector.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Garrett is currently the Legislative Director for the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and is knowledgeable about trends in health care innovation and well-acquainted with the State's health care landscape.  Mr. Garrett previously served as the project director of the Hawaii Healthcare Project, a public-private partnership between the Office of Governor Neil Abercrombie and stakeholders of Hawaii's healthcare industry, where he oversaw the development of the State Health Innovation Plan that was submitted to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Center.  Mr. Garrett also previously served on the corporate board of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, an experience that gave him a clear understanding of the fiduciary responsibility of board members.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Garrett has a familiarity and appreciation of the challenges of implementing federal health reform that will serve as a strong foundation for his service on the Board of Directors and therefore recommends that Mr. Garrett be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Health Connector based on his experience, dedication to improving access to health care, and commitment to public service.

 

CALVIN L. HUTTON

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Calvin L. Hutton from the Department of Human Services, Board of Directors of the Hawai‘i Health Connector, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Hutton's background, experience, and commitment to public service qualify him for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Health Connector.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Hutton is the Vice President and General Manager of Ceridian's Hawaii District and has thirty-five years of experience helping small businesses in Hawaii establish sound business practices relating to human capital management.  In this role, Mr. Hutton has developed considerable experience related to information technology concepts, accounting, payroll, human resources, COBRA compliance, and benefit management.  Mr. Hutton was also a member of the state task force established during the original organization phase of the Hawaii Health Connector and has continued to attend the majority of Board meetings for the Connector, where he has engaged the Directors and staff on issues to support the Connector.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Hutton's wealth of executive management expertise and his ability to visualize how technology can be applied to business will be strong assets to the Board of Directors.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Hutton be appointed and reappointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Health Connector based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the Hawaii Health Connector.

 

JOANNE H. KEALOHA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Joanne H. Kealoha from the Department of Human Services; Board of Directors of the Hawai‘i Health Connector; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME, Local 152, AFL-CIO; Hawaii State AFL-CIO; International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1186; International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots; Ironworkers Stabilization Fund; Marine Engineers' Beneficial Organization, AFL-CIO; Sailors Union of the Pacific; and ten individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Kealoha's background, experience, and commitment to community service qualify her for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Health Connector.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Kealoha has been a social services coordinator for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142 for almost thirty years and is highly familiar and knowledgeable about health care in Hawaii and the history of the evolution of the State's unique health care system.  Ms. Kealoha is also highly committed to and active in her community, including serving as the board secretary for Hawaii Meals on Wheels, an advisor to the Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans, and as a member of the Labor's Community Services Committee of Oahu, and her long history of serving the community gives her unique insight into the needs of the State's residents.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Kealoha's professional experience with a labor organization and her extensive record of public service will be strong assets to the Board of Directors.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Kealoha be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Health Connector based on her background, knowledge, and commitment to ensuring the success of the Hawaii Health Connector.

 

RICHARD KEENE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Richard Keene from the Department of Human Services, Board of Directors of the Hawai‘i Health Connector, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Keene's background, experience, and commitment to public service qualify him for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Health Connector.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Keene has significant experience in finance and has held management positions in publicly-traded companies and a large-nonprofit organization.  Mr. Keene is currently an independent financial consultant and previously served as the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of The Queen's Health Systems and as Vice Chair and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank of Hawaii Corporation.  Mr. Keene is also dedicated to serving his community and has served on the board of several nonprofits, including currently serving on the boards of directors for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Hawaii Chapter and the Kalihi-Palama Health Center.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Keene has a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the health care industry and this knowledge combined with his financial background will be assets to the Board of Directors.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Keene be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Health Connector based on his experience, dedication to improving access to health care, and commitment to serving the community.

 

     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