STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3977

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 701, 723, 754

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. 701, 723, and 754, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Health Planning Council, Tri-Isle County Subarea

G.M. No. 701	JUDITH MIKAMI for a term to expire 06-30-2030;
G.M. No. 723	PENNY KOVAL for a term to expire 06-30-2030; and
G.M. No. 754	KATHLEEN HAGAN 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 Judith Mikami, Penny Koval, and Kathleen Hagan for service on the Health Planning Council, Tri-Isle County Subarea.

JUDITH MIKAMI

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Judith Mikami from the State Health Planning and Development Agency.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Mikami's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Health Planning Council, Tri‑Isle County Subarea. Your Committee notes that Ms. Mikami is a registered nurse with over six decades of health care leadership and clinical experience and most recently served as the Long-Term Care Director for Nā Puʻuwai from 2004 to 2017, a nonprofit Native Hawaiian health care system that serves the islands of Molokai and Lanai, where Ms. Mikami led long-term care planning and elder health initiatives for Native Hawaiian communities. Previously, Ms. Mikami was a Community Planner for the Family Health Services Division of the Department of Health, coordinating community-based health planning and interagency partnerships statewide. Your Committee further notes that Ms. Mikami is an active member in her profession, and has served with various health care nonprofit organizations, including as President of the Hawaii State Rural Health Association Executive Board and President of the Molokai Rural Health Community Association. Your Committee finds that Ms. Mikami has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and her extensive experience in health care leadership and clinical experience will enhance the effectiveness of the Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Judith Mikami be appointed to the Health Planning Council, Tri-Isle County Subarea based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

PENNY KOVAL

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Penny Koval from the State Health Planning and Development Agency.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Koval's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Health Planning Council, Tri‑Isle County Subarea. Your Committee notes that Ms. Koval is a nurse with over fifteen years of health care leadership and clinical experience and currently works as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Administrator and Assistant Chief Executive Officer at Maui Health. As a CAH Administrator, Ms. Koval oversees the operations of five regulatory licenses across two rural facilities, which has given her insight into the health care service gaps, infrastructure needs, regulatory barriers, and community priorities within rural communities in the Tri-Isle Subarea. Previously, Ms. Koval was a Nursing Manager for Maui Health at Kula Hospital, where she directed clinical operations for Long‑Term Care and other departments. Your Committee further notes that Ms. Koval received her Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing degrees with excellence from Western Governors University and her Associate Degree in Nursing from the University of Hawaii Maui College. Your Committee finds that Ms. Koval has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and her extensive experience in nursing and rural health administration will enhance the effectiveness of the Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Penny Koval be appointed to the Health Planning Council, Tri‑Isle County Subarea based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

KATHLEEN HAGAN

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Kathleen Hagan from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, Hawaiʻi-American Nurses Association, and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Hagan's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Health Planning Council, Tri‑Isle County Subarea. Your Committee notes that Ms. Hagan has been a nurse and nursing educator for over two decades and has been working as a Program Coordinator for the nursing program at the University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC) since 2019. At the same time, Ms. Hagan is a Professor at the UHMC, teaching a variety of nursing discipline courses. Previously, Ms. Hagan was a Nurse Practitioner at UHMC's Campus Health Center, where she provided direct clinical care to students, faculty, and staff. Your Committee additionally finds that Ms. Hagan is an active member in her profession and community and has volunteered for various organizations, including as the Director at Large for the Hawaii Public Health Association's Board of Directors and Hawaii‑American Nurses Association Board of Directors. Your Committee further notes that Ms. Hagan previously served on the Health Planning Council, Tri-Isle County Subarea from 2016 to 2025, where she served as the Council's chairperson and co‑chairperson. Your Committee finds that Ms. Hagan's experience and knowledge will continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Kathleen Hagan be reappointed to the Health Planning Council, Tri-Isle County Subarea based on her 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