STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3945

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 726

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor and Technology, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 726, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Hawai'i Labor Relations Board

G.M. No. 726

CLARK HIROTA, for a term to expire 06-30-2030,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Clark Hirota for service on the Hawaii Labor Relations Board.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Clark Hirota from the Department of Human Resources Development; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Department of the Attorney General; Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; Honolulu Police Department; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260; State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers; Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, Local 1463, IAFF, AFL-CIO; International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators & Allied Workers Local 132; and twenty-four individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Hirota's background, knowledge, and over twenty-five years of experience in the areas of labor and employment qualify him for appointment to the Hawaii Labor Relations Board as a representative of labor. Your Committee notes that Mr. Hirota has been serving as a Labor Specialist for the City and County of Honolulu Department of Human Resources since 2008, where he is responsible for advising, representing, and advocating for county departments on matters involving labor unions; conducting labor advocacy and collective bargaining; providing assistance in interest arbitrations with the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers; and serving as a hearing officer for the county departments' contested cases. Your Committee also notes that Mr. Hirota earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the Seattle University School of Law in 1996, and has focused his career in the areas of labor and employment. Before assuming his current position, Mr. Hirota served as Deputy Corporation Counsel at the City and County of Honolulu, representing and advocating for the county in administrative and labor arbitration hearings, interest arbitration regarding contract negotiations with the Hawaii Government Employees Association, and Hawaii Labor Relations Board proceedings. His previous positions also include serving as a Labor Counselor at the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, where he advised and advocated for the United States Army in various employment- and labor-related matters; and as an attorney in private practice, during which he represented and advocated for clients in various labor matters, including collective bargaining and administrative and labor arbitration hearings. Your Committee finds that Mr. Hirota's knowledge in labor and employment laws and experience in labor arbitrations and proceedings before the Hawaii Labor Relations Board will be invaluable assets for the Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Clark Hirota be appointed to the Hawaii Labor Relations Board based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor and Technology 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 Labor and Technology,

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair