SSCR3891

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3891

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 666, 677

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 666 and 677, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Disability and Communication Access Board

G.M. No. 666

GERALD ISOBE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2027; and

G.M. No. 677

GERALD OHTA,

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 Gerald Isobe and Gerald Ohta for service on the Disability and Communication Access Board.

GERALD ISOBE

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Gerald Isobe from the Disability and Communication Access Board and two individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Isobe's experience, knowledge, and proven leadership on the Disability and Communication Access Board qualify him for appointment to the Disability and Communication Access Board as an individual with a disability. Your Committee notes that Mr. Isobe served for over forty years as an operating accountant with the United States Department of Defense and retired in September 2020 as a Senior Financial Management Analyst at the Naval Health Clinic Hawaii Headquarter. Mr. Isobe is also dedicated to community service evidenced by his service as the Vice President of the Hawaii Service on Deafness, Treasurer of the Aloha State Association of the Deaf. Your Committee further finds that Mr. Isobe has been serving on the Disability and Communication Access Board since 2019 and chairs the Board's Standing Committee on Communication Access, advocating for and bringing awareness of diverse communication access tools and methods to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act's definition of effective communication. Mr. Isobe's experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Disability and Communication Access Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Gerald Isobe be appointed to the Disability and Communication Access Board based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

GERALD OHTA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Gerald Ohta from the Disability and Communication Access Board, State Health Planning and Development Agency, and two individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Ohta's experience, knowledge, and proven leadership on the Disability and Communication Access Board qualify him for reappointment to the Disability and Communication Access Board in the capacities of an individual with a disability and an individual knowledgeable in areas for which the Board has rulemaking authority. Your Committee notes that Mr. Ohta served the State for forty-seven years in various roles, including as the Department of Health's Affirmative Action Officer, Departmental Language Access Coordinator, and American with Disabilities Act Coordinator before his retirement in 2017. Mr. Ohta is also dedicated to community service and has served as the President of the Hawaii Public Health Association and a member of the American Public Health Association. Your Committee further finds that Mr. Ohta has been serving on the Disability and Communication Access Board since 2020 and is currently on the Board's Standing Committees on Parking and Transportation, offering his knowledge on disability issues as it relates to programs and services accessibility, communication access, accessible parking, and employment discrimination. Mr. Ohta's experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Disability and Communication Access Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Gerald Ohta be reappointed to the Disability and Communication Access Board based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services 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 Health and Human Services,

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair