STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3992

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 661, 664

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 661 and 664, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Center for Nursing Advisory Board

G.M. No. 661	JOVANA APO for a term to expire 06-30-2029; and
G.M. No. 664	AMY THOMAS 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 Jovana Apo and Amy Thomas for service on the Center for Nursing Advisory Board.

JOVANA APO

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jovana Apo from the Center for Nursing.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Apo's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board as a member who has a background or experience in health care delivery. Your Committee notes that Ms. Apo is a licensed registered nurse who has been a health care professional for over thirteen years. Ms. Apo has worked within The Queen's Health Systems since 2013, and currently serves as a Patient Care Coordinator at The Queen's Medical Center West-Oahu Sullivan Care Center, where she assists in the daily operations of its Pulmonary Clinic, including organizing staffing and scheduling for clinical operations, resolving patient concerns, and conducting monthly and weekly audits. Her previous experience within The Queen's Health Systems includes serving as a Wound Nurse Case Manager for two years and a Medical-Surgical Nurse for seven years. As a Medical-Surgical Nurse, Ms. Apo was responsible for coordinating clinical care of medical-surgical patients, including initiating and developing plans of care, educating patients and their families, and planning the discharge of patients. Your Committee finds that Ms. Apo has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and her extensive experience in care coordination will enhance the effectiveness of the Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Jovana Apo be appointed to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

AMY THOMAS

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Amy Thomas from the Center for Nursing, Academy for Healthcare Innovation, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, and two individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Thomas' background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board as a member who is a nursing executive with an active nursing license in the State. Your Committee notes that Ms. Thomas is a licensed advanced practice registered nurse with experience in the health care industry for over three decades. Ms. Thomas currently works as the System Chief Nurse Executive at Hawaii Pacific Health, where she provides strategic direction, planning, and leadership for nursing, ensuring consistent nursing standards of practice and standards of care across the system. At the same time, Ms. Thomas is a System Director of Clinical Education, Employee Health, and Workers' Compensation at Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, where she manages medical resources; educational opportunities; and health, safety, and well-being programs for more than seventy-five hundred employees. Your Committee further notes that Ms. Thomas is an active member in her profession and has been serving as an Adjunct Faculty at the Hawaii Pacific University School of Nursing since 2002, delivering high-quality, curriculum-based nursing education to the State's next generation of nurses. Your Committee finds that Ms. Thomas has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and her extensive experience in executive-level nursing administration and nursing education will enhance the effectiveness of the Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Amy Thomas be appointed to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board based on her knowledge, background, and dedication 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