STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3695
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 657, 652, 509, 654, 656, 757
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
s
Sir:
Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 657, 652, 509, 654, 656, and 757, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:
Hawai'i Teacher Standards Board
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G.M. No. 657 |
KATINA SOARES for a term to expire 06-30-2028; |
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G.M. No. 652 |
JONATHAN GILLENTINE for a term to expire 06-30-2027; |
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G.M. No. 509 |
KOMAREY MOSS for a term to expire 06-30-2029; |
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G.M. No. 654 |
DAPHNE OKUNAGA for a term to expire 06-30-2028; |
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G.M. No. 656 |
DALE ARAKAKI for a term to expire 06-30-2028; and |
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G.M. No. 757 |
LOGAN OKITA for a term to expire 06-30-2029, |
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Katina Soares, Jonathan Gillentine, Komarey Moss, Daphne Okunaga, Dale Arakaki, and Logan Okita for service on the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.
KATINA SOARES
Your Committee received testimony in
support of the nomination for the appointment of Katina Soares from the
Department of Education.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Soares' experience, knowledge, and proven leadership on the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board qualify her for appointment to the Board as an Administrator member. Your Committee notes that Dr. Soares holds a PhD in educational leadership and has twenty-five years of experience in education. Dr. Soares has been licensed as a Professional School Administrator in Hawaii since 2018 and licensed as a school counselor in Hawaii since 2003. Dr. Soares has served as the Principal for Molokai High School for eight years, and before that, served in a variety of education leadership roles in the State, including Vice Principal, Acting Principal, Counseling Department Chair, and Licensed School Counselor. Your Committee further notes that Dr. Soares has served previous terms on the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board and has dedicated herself to ensuring that the State's standards for teachers and education remain both locally relevant and nationally competitive. Your Committee finds that Dr. Soares' experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Katina Soares be appointed to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.
JONATHAN GILLENTINE
Your Committee received no testimony on this nomination for the reappointment of Jonathan Gillentine.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Gillentine's background, knowledge, and proven leadership on the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board qualify him for appointment to the Board as a public member. Your Committee notes that Dr. Gillentine holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education and has thirty-six years of experience in education. Dr. Gillentine was licensed as an educator in Hawaii until his retirement from the profession in 2021. Dr. Gillentine previously worked as an Early Learning Resource Teacher for the Hawaii Executive Office on Early Learning, and before that, served in various roles for over thirty years, including as an inclusion, special education, and resource teacher. Your Committee further notes that Dr. Gillentine has served previous terms on the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board and worked in a variety of roles since 2018 and currently serves as a hearing officer for the Board. Your Committee finds that Dr. Gillentine's experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Jonathan Gillentine be appointed to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board based on his background, knowledge, and dedication to public service.
KOMAREY MOSS
Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Komarey Moss from the Department of Education. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Komarey Moss from one individual.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Moss' background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board as an Administrator member. Your Committee notes that Ms. Moss has been an educator since 2004 and currently works as a Principal for Moanalua Middle School. Prior to her current role, Ms. Moss served in a variety of diverse roles in schools across Oahu, from a high school science teacher to a district educational specialist. Your Committee further notes that Ms. Moss is an active member in her profession and has been recognized for her outstanding dedication to providing high quality learning opportunities for her students through her nomination for the Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award in 2023. Ms. Moss is additionally a published scholar and grant writer and manager, having applied for and received large grants for the State and is in the process of obtaining her Doctor of Philosophy in Education. Your Committee finds that Ms. Moss has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and her extensive experience in education will be assets to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Komarey Moss be appointed to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board based on her knowledge, experience, and dedication to serving her community.
DAPHNE OKUNAGA
Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Daphne Okunaga from the Department of Education and thirteen individuals.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Okunaga's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board as a public member. Your Committee notes that Ms. Okunaga has been a licensed teacher in the State since 2005 and currently works as an Instructional Strategist with Hawaiʻi P-20 Partnerships for Education in support of schools and educational initiative statewide. Previously, Ms. Okunaga was a Secondary Math Teacher at Pearl City High School from 2005 to 2024. Your Committee further notes that Ms. Okunaga is an active member in the educational community and has served on the State Task Force for Mathematics since 2020, partnering with the University of Hawaii and other educators to shift traditional mathematical experiences to targeted outcomes that support student interests, and received the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Teacher of the Year Award in 2023. Your Committee finds that Ms. Okunaga has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and her extensive experience in education will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Daphne Okunaga be appointed to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.
DALE ARAKAKI
Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Dale Arakaki from the Department of Education.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Arakaki's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be appointed to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board as an Administrator member. Your Committee notes that Mr. Arakaki has been a certified Professional School Administrator since 2004 and currently works as the Principal of Kawananakoa Middle School. Previously, Mr. Arakaki served as the Principal of Pauoa Elementary School from 2014 to 2025, where he built a culture of learning and faculty retention that culminated in Pauoa Elementary's recognition as a blue ribbon school. Prior to that, Mr. Arakaki also served as Vice Principal of Waipahu Elementary School and Vice Principal of Kamaile Elementary School. Your Committee finds that Mr. Arakaki has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and his extensive experience in school administration will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Dale Arakaki be appointed to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board based on his experience, background, and commitment to public service.
LOGAN OKITA
Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Logan Okita from the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, Nimitz Elementary School, and three individuals.
Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Okita's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board as a licensed teacher member. Your Committee notes that Ms. Okita has been a teacher in Hawaii since 2006 and currently works as a Response and Intervention Coach at Nimitz Elementary School, where she also previously worked as a first grade teacher. Prior to that, Ms. Okita was a kindergarten and elementary school teacher at Fern Elementary School and a summer school teacher at Hongwanji Mission School. Your Committee further notes that Ms. Okita is an active member in the field of education and has served as the Vice President of the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association since 2021, but has served in other leadership roles with the Association since 2012. Your Committee finds that Ms. Okita has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and her extensive experience in education will be assets to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Logan Okita be appointed to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,
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____________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair |
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