STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3845

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 511, 512, 513

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 511, 512, and 513, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

State Board of Nursing

G.M. No. 511	TERRENCE ARATANI, for a term to expire 06-30-2024;
G.M. No. 512	BRADLEY KUO, for a term to expire 06-30-2027; and
G.M. No. 513	SHERI SHIELDS-HANSON, for a term to expire 06-30-2024,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Terrence Aratani, Bradley Kuo, and Sheri Shields-Hanson for service on the State Board of Nursing.

TERRENCE ARATANI

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Terrence Aratani from the State Board of Nursing, Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association, and three individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Aratani's background, experience, and dedication to community service qualify him to be appointed to the State Board of Nursing as a public member. Since 2014, Mr. Aratani has been employed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Koʻolauloa Health Center on the North Shore of Oahu, where he oversees the operations, functions, and compliance activities for the health center. Previously, Mr. Aratani proudly served the Hawaii State Senate for over a decade in various roles, including as the Chief of Staff for the Office of the Senate President. An attorney by trade, Mr. Aratani also served as a Staff Attorney for the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs where he gained considerable experience and knowledge of the various insurance laws and health care systems in Hawaii. Presently, Mr. Aratani remains involved in the local community, serving on the boards of directors of numerous organizations, such as the Honolulu Community Action Program, Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii, and Hawaii State Federal Credit Union. Your Committee notes that Mr. Aratani has served as an interim member of the State Board of Nursing since August 2023 and has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of Board members. Your Committee therefore recommends that Terrence Aratani be appointed to the State Board of Nursing based on his background, experience, and dedication to serving his community.

BRADLEY KUO

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Bradley Kuo from the Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing, Hawaiʻi American Nurses Association, Optimum Health and Wellness Hawaii LLC, and two individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Kuo's background, knowledge, and professional experience qualify him to be appointed to the State Board of Nursing as a registered nurse member licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in the State. Dr. Kuo has over thirteen years of experience as a registered nurse and is currently the President and owner of Wellness Partners Hawaii, Inc., an online tele-mental health clinic that strives to increase mental health awareness and accessibility across all Hawaiian islands via the use of technology. In addition, Dr. Kuo works as a Senior Behavioral Health APRN for The Queen's Medical Center where he also serves as the hospital's APRN Fellowship Coordinator. Dr. Kuo obtained his Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2019 and serves as a nursing academic and advocate, having presented various scholarly works on subjects such as critical care for nurses and rural telehealth, and has provided legislative and policy updates to Hawaii nursing community stakeholders. Further, Dr. Kuo is active in numerous professional associations and currently serves on the Hawaii Department of Health's Vaccine Medical Advisory Working Group. Your Committee notes that Dr. Kuo has served as an interim member of the State Board of Nursing since June 2023 and has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of Board members. Your Committee therefore recommends that Bradley Kuo be appointed to the State Board of Nursing based on his knowledge, background, and professional experience.

SHERI SHIELDS-HANSON

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Sheri Shields-Hanson from the State Board of Nursing and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Shields-Hanson's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify her to be appointed to the State Board of Nursing as a registered nurse member with expertise in nursing education. Since 2017, Ms. Shields-Hanson has taught full-time as a Nurse Educator for the Assessment Technologies Institute, where she teaches intensive National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) preparation courses in all exam areas and specialties of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Test Plan. Previously, Ms. Shields-Hanson was a Professor at Santa Barbara City College for twenty-five years, where she lectured, provided clinical instruction, advised students, and helped direct and update the clinical practicum for the Associate's Degree in Nursing Program. Prior to that, Ms. Shields-Hanson worked as a Registered Nurse in various hospitals and medical centers for over twenty years and maintains an active Registered Nurse license in both Hawaii and California. Your Committee notes that Ms. Shields-Hanson has served as an interim member of the State Board of Nursing since August 2023 and has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of Board members. Your Committee therefore recommends that Sheri Shields-Hanson be appointed to the State Board of Nursing based on her experience, background, and commitment 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,

____________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair