STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3825

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     GOV. MSG. NOS. 520, 710, 711, 712, 713, 714, 735

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 520, 710, 711, 712, 713, 714, and 735, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Education

 

G.M. No. 520

KAHELE DUKELOW,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026;

 

G.M. No. 710

MARY HATTORI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2027;

 

G.M. No. 711

KEN KURAYA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2027;

 

G.M. No. 712

WILLIAM ARAKAKI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2027;

 

G.M. No. 713

WESLEY LO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2027. (Expiration date amended to 06-30-2025 by GM734);

 

G.M. No. 714

ELYNNE CHUNG,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026; and

 

G.M. No. 735

ROY TAKUMI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Kaheleonolani "Kahele" Dukelow, Mary Hattori, Ken Kuraya, William Arakaki, Wesley Lo, Elynne Chung, and Roy Takumi for service on the Board of Education.

 

KAHELE DUKELOW

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Kahele Dukelow from the Department of Education, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, HawaiiKidsCAN, Hui for Excellence in Education, Native Hawaiian Education Association, Moku o Manokalanipō Kauaʻi Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, ʻAha Kauleo, Kimokeo Foundation, Kanaeokana Kula Hawaii Network, and thirty-nine individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Dukelow's experience and knowledge qualify her for appointment to the Board of Education as a member representing Maui County pursuant to section 302A-121, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Ms. Dukelow is an experienced educator and administrator, serving in various roles in both kindergarten through grade twelve and higher education.  Ms. Dukelow presently serves as Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at the University of Hawaii Maui College.  Previously, Ms. Dukelow served as Dean of Arts and Sciences at the University of Hawaii Maui College, Professor of Hawaiian Studies, and various teaching roles within the Department of Education and Kaiapuni Hawaiian language immersion schools.  Ms. Dukelow is also an active member of her community, serving as Chairperson and Board Member of ʻAha Kauleo State Council of Public Hawaiian Immersion Schools and Council Member for the Maui and Lānaʻi Burial Council.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Dukelow understands the roles and responsibilities of board members, and her experience in higher education administration, classroom teaching, and Hawaiian language immersion education will be assets to the Board of Education.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Kahele Dukelow be appointed to the Board of Education based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

 

MARY HATTORI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Mary Hattori from the Office of the Governor, Department of Education, HawaiiKidsCAN, Hui for Excellence in Education, Micronesians United – Big Island, and twenty-four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Hattori's experience and background qualify her for appointment to the Board of Education as a member representing the City and County of Honolulu pursuant to section 302A-121, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Dr. Hattori is an experienced higher education instructor and administrator and holds a Doctor of Education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Dr. Hattori presently serves as Director of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center.  Additionally, Dr. Hattori serves as Affiliate and Cooperating Graduate Faculty for various departments at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Chaminade University.  Previously, Dr. Hattori served in various roles at the University of Hawaii System, including as Outreach Director and Associate Specialist Faculty for the Center for Pacific Island Studies.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Hattori is also an active member of her community, serving as Board Member of the Mid-Continent Regional Education Lab, Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities, and Honolulu Printmakers.  Dr. Hattori also serves as Co-Founder and Organizing Partner of the Doris Duke Theatre Annual Cultural Animation Film Festival.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Hattori understands the roles and responsibilities of board members, and her extensive experience in higher education, teaching, and research will be assets to the Board of Education.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Mary Hattori be appointed to the Board of Education based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

 

KEN KURAYA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Ken Kuraya from the Department of Education, HawaiiKidsCAN, Hui for Excellence in Education, and six individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Kuraya's knowledge and experience qualify him for reappointment to the Board of Education as an at-large member pursuant to section 302A-121, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Mr. Kuraya is a retired educator, having dedicated over forty years of service to the Department of Education.  Previously, Mr. Kuraya served as Vice Principal at Jefferson, Ala Wai, and Hahaione Elementary Schools; Honolulu District Resource Teacher; Secondary School Teacher at Niu Valley, Kailua, and Kawananakoa Intermediate Schools; and Educational Assistant at Kailua Intermediate and Wilcox Elementary Schools.  Mr. Kuraya is also an experienced fiscal administrator for the Department of Education and served as Budget Specialist, Budget Director, and Budget Execution Administrator for over twenty years.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Kuraya has served as a member of the Board of Education since July 2022, and he presently serves as Chairperson of the Board's Finance and Infrastructure Committee.  Accordingly, your Committee believes that Mr. Kuraya's prior experience on the Board, as well as his extensive experience as an educator and fiscal administrator, will continue to be assets to the Board of Education.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Ken Kuraya be reappointed to the Board of Education based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

WILLIAM ARAKAKI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of William Arakaki from the Department of Education, Kapaʻa Middle School, King Kaumualiʻi Elementary School, HawaiiKidsCAN, Hui for Excellence in Education, and eighteen individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Arakaki's experience and knowledge qualify him for reappointment to the Board of Education as a member representing Kauai County pursuant to section 302A-121, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Mr. Arakaki is a retired educator and administrator and served the Department of Education for over forty years.  After twelve years of teaching, Mr. Arakaki served as Vice Principal of Kapaa High School, Vice Principal of Kapaa Middle School, and Principal of Waimea High School.  Additionally, Mr. Arakaki served as Kauai Complex Area Superintendent for thirteen years.  Mr. Arakaki is an active member of his community and currently serves as a Board Member of Kaulu I Ka Pono Academy, Kauai Adolescent Treatment and Healing Center, and Kauai Fatherhood Council.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Arakaki has served as a member of the Board of Education since July 2020, and he presently serves as Chairperson of the Student Achievement Committee.  Accordingly, your Committee believes that Mr. Arakaki's prior experience on the Board, as well as his extensive experience as an educator and administrator, will continue to be assets to the Board of Education.  Your Committee therefore recommends that William Arakaki be reappointed to the Board of Education based on his knowledge, experience, and desire to serve his community.

 

WESLEY LO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Wesley Lo from the Office of the Governor, Department of Education, HawaiiKidsCAN, Hui for Excellence in Education, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, The Queen's Health System, and thirty-seven individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Lo's knowledge and background qualify him for appointment to the Board of Education as an at-large member pursuant to section 302A-121, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Mr. Lo is an experienced health care executive and presently serves as Chief Executive Officer for Ohana Pacific Health and Hale Makua Health Services.  Previously, Mr. Lo served as Regional Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Maui Region and Chief Financial Officer of Maui Memorial Medical Center and Maui Radiology Consultants.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Lo is an active participant in his community, serving as Director of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii where he presently serves as Chairperson of the Long-Term Care Committee.  Mr. Lo also previously served as Chairperson of the Board of the Hawaiʻi Health Network, Director and Past Chairperson of the Maui Economic Development Board, and Director of the Maui High School Foundation.  Further, Mr. Lo previously served as an inaugural member of the Board of Education from 2011 to 2013, and served as Chairperson of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee and Vice Chairperson of the Audit Committee.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Lo understands the roles and responsibilities of board members, and his extensive experience as a financial executive and executive manager will be assets to the Board of Education.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Wesley Lo be appointed to the Board of Education based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

 

ELYNNE CHUNG

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Elynne Chung from the Office of the Governor, Department of Education, HawaiiKidsCAN, Hui for Excellence in Education, and twenty-six individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Chung's experience and background qualify her for appointment to the Board of Education as a member representing the City and County of Honolulu pursuant to section 302A-121, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Ms. Chung is an experienced educator and administrator, dedicating over thirty-five years of service to the Department of Education.  Ms. Chung formerly served as Principal of Mililani Middle School and Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary School.  Ms. Chung also served as Vice Principal of Aiea High School, Makalapa Elementary School, and Radford High School; Central District Educational Specialist, Special Education; and Classroom Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator at Hale Kula Elementary School.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Chung is an active member of her community, serving as Vice President of the University of Hawaii College of Education Alumni Association.  Ms. Chung also served as a member of the Department of Education Multi-Track Calendar Committee, Telework Task Force, Bell Schedule Committee, and Committee on Weights.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Chung understands the roles and responsibilities of board members, and her extensive experience as an educator and administrator will be assets to the Board of Education.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Elynne Chung be appointed to the Board of Education based on her background, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

 

ROY TAKUMI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Roy Takumi from the Office of the Governor; Department of Education; HawaiiKidsCAN; Hui for Excellence in Education; Hawaii Ports Maritime Council; International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories, and Canada, AFL-CIO, CLC, Local 665; Labor Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; and twelve individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Takumi's background and knowledge qualify him for appointment to the Board of Education as an at-large member and Chairperson pursuant to section 302A-121, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Mr. Takumi served as the Representative of the Thirty-Fifth District in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 1992 to 2022.  During his tenure, Mr. Takumi served as Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Education for fifteen years.  Previously, Mr. Takumi served as Communications Director for the Hawaii State AFL-CIO; Program Director for the American Friends Service Committee, Hawaii Office; and Community Organizer for Korean immigrants in Osaka, Japan.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Takumi remains an active member of his community, serving as Vice-Chairperson for the Education Committee of the States and Labor Education Advisory Council, Commissioner for the Commission on Employment and Human Resources, Chairperson of the Inter-Agency Council Immigration Law Task Force; and Member of American Friends Service Committee, Hawaii Office, Council on Nontraditional Employment for Women, Hawaii Job Training Coordinating Council, and Civil Rights Consortium.  Mr. Takumi understands the roles and responsibilities of board members and his background as an elected official and extensive background in education policy and labor advocacy will be assets to the Board of Education.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Roy Takumi be appointed to the Board of Education based on his experience, knowledge, and proven commitment to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Education 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 Education,

 

 

 

____________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair