STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3958

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 579, 580, 581, 602

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 579, 580, 581, and 602, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee

 

G.M. No. 579

THOMAS NOYES,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026;

 

G.M. No. 580

JAMES BURKE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026;

 

G.M. No. 581

JESSICA THOMPSON,

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

 

G.M. No. 602

JEANNE TORRES,

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 Thomas Noyes, James Burke, Jessica Thompson, and Jeanne Torres for service on the State Routes to School Advisory Committee.

 

THOMAS NOYES

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Thomas Noyes from the Ulupono Initiative and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Noyes' background, experience, and dedication to the community qualify him for appointment to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee as a member representing an organization with a focus on bicycling.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Noyes is currently the Executive Director for Kauai Path Inc., a nonprofit organization working to preserve, protect, and extend access through the design, implementation, and stewardship of non-motorized multi-use paths, where he leads fundraising, coordinating advocacy, managing volunteers, and implementing programs to further Kauai Path's strategic direction.  Mr. Noyes has more than forty-two years of experience in non-profit, state, corporate, and community project management and communications.  Prior to his current position, Mr. Noyes worked for the Department of Health; Kauai Planning and Action Alliance; Thomas Noyes Project Management Services; AT&T Wireless; Cingular Wireless, LLC; Ameritech Cellular Services, Inc.; and Griffin Noyes Associates.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Noyes is active in his community having served as chair of the Kauai Na Ala Hele Advisory Council and as a member of a variety of other committees and councils on Kauai.  Additionally, Mr. Noyes' commitment to bicycling, including his instructor certification with the League of American Bicyclists, will be an asset to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Thomas Noyes be appointed to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

JAMES BURKE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of James Burke from AARP Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Family Caregiver Coalition, Ulupono Initiative, and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Burke's background, experience, and knowledge qualify him for appointment to Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee as a member representing an organization with a focus on senior citizens and their families.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Burke currently serves as a member of the Honolulu Rate Commission, a commission that reviews the fees, fares, rates, tolls, and other charges for the use of the municipal transportation system.  Prior to that, Mr. Burke worked for the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center at the University of Hawaii, Department of Transportation Services for the City and County of Honolulu, Public Transit Division, Honolulu Public Transit Authority, and Department of Transportation.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Burke is also an active member in his community, serving on a variety of committees in the interests of seniors regarding transportation and disaster preparedness.  Additionally, Mr. Burke's' commitment to AARP as a volunteer and representative will be an asset to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee.  Your Committee therefore recommends that James Burke be appointed to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

JESSICA THOMPSON

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jessica Thompson from the Ulupono Initiative.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Thompson's background, experience, and knowledge qualify her for appointment to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee as a member representing an organization with a focus on public health and mobility.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Thompson is the current Program Manager for the Safe, Accessible, and Inclusive Mobility Program at the Hawaii Public Health Institute where she works to build cross-sector, statewide coalitions to advance public health projects and programs.  Ms. Thompson has over twenty years of experience in community development and managerial roles including working with Hillsboro School District, Community Warehouse, Oregon Walks, and PATH: People for Active Transportation Hawaii.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Thompson's expertise in public health and community building will be an asset to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Jessica Thompson be appointed to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee based on her experience, knowledge, and desire to serve the community.

 

JEANNE TORRES

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jeanne Torres from Sensory Travel, LLC and fourteen individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Torres' experience, knowledge, and passion qualify her for appointment to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee as a member representing an organization with a focus on transportation equity and mobility.  Your Committee notes that with over ten years of managerial experience, Ms. Torres is the current Executive Director of Guide Dogs of Hawaii.  Prior to her current role, she served as General Manager and Service Programs Coordinator for Eye of the Pacific Guide Dogs and Mobility Services, Inc. and still serves on its Board of Directors.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Torres is active in her community and serves on the Hawaii Center for Independent Living Board of Directors, Committee for Accessible Transportation, Committee for the Protection of Service Animals, and National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii.  Ms. Torres' commitment to equity, accessibility, mobility, and transportation will be an asset to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Jessica Torres be appointed to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts 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 Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

 

 

 

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair