STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3822

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 535, 623

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 535 and 623, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Center for Nursing Advisory Board

G.M. No. 535	JEANETTE AYERS-KAWAKAMI, for a term to expire 06-30-2027; and
G.M. No. 623	SONDRA LEIGGI BRANDON, for a term to expire 06-30-2028,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Jeanette Ayers-Kawakami and Sondra Leiggi Brandon for service on the Center for Nursing Advisory Board.

JEANETTE AYERS-KAWAKAMI

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jeanette Ayers-Kawakami from the Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Ayers-Kawakami's experience and knowledge qualify her for appointment to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board as a member who is a nurse with an active Hawaii nursing license. Dr. Ayers-Kawakami has been a registered nurse for over twenty years and has served as a nursing educator for nearly ten years. Presently, Dr. Ayers-Kawakami serves as an Associate Professor and the Director at the University of Hawaii at Hilo School of Nursing, where she oversees and teaches in the Doctor of Nursing Practice, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. Dr. Ayers-Kawakami holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice, and her research and professional goals focus on addressing rural health disparities in the State. Your Committee notes that Dr. Ayers-Kawakami is an active member of her community, serving as a member of the Hawaii Island Oral Health Coalition Advisory Board and committee member of Parents and Children Together Health Services Advisory Board. Your Committee further finds that Dr. Ayers-Kawakami has an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of board members and that her experience and knowledge as a nursing educator will be assets to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Jeanette Ayers-Kawakami be appointed to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

SONDRA LEIGGI BRANDON

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Sondra Leiggi Brandon from the Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing and The Queen's Health System.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Leiggi Brandon's background and knowledge qualify her for appointment to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board as an advanced practice registered nurse member. Ms. Leiggi Brandon has been an advanced practice registered nurse for over ten years and presently serves as Vice President of Behavioral Patient Care at the Queen's Medical Center and as an outpatient psychiatric/mental health advanced practice registered nurse with Care Hawaii. Ms. Leiggi Brandon previously served as a clinical instructor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and as a faculty member at the University of Phoenix, where she taught courses in the fundamentals of nursing and psychiatric and mental health nursing. Your Committee notes that Ms. Leiggi Brandon is a decorated, recognized nursing professional and received the 2023 Queen Emma Leadership Award and has appeared as a contributor on various media programs regarding mental health. Your Committee further finds that Ms. Leiggi Brandon understands the roles and responsibilities of board members and that her extensive knowledge of psychiatric and mental health nursing and her professional experience will be assets to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Sondra Leiggi Brandon be appointed to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

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

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair