STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1826

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  GOV. MSG. NO. 313
                                        




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which
was referred Governor's Message No. 313, submitting for study and
consideration the nominations of:

BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN OPTOMETRY

     G.M. No. 313       BARBARA J. DIRKS, O.D., FRANKLIN Y.P.
                        LAU, O.D., and ERNEST K. OSHIRO, O.D.,
                        for terms to expire June 30, 2003;

begs leave to report as follows:

     The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs presented
testimony in support of the nomination of Dr. Dirks.  The Hawaii
Optometric Association, while not present, presented testimony in
support of the nominations of Dr. Lau and Dr. Oshiro. 

     Upon review of the statements submitted by the nominees,
your Committee finds that the nominees are volunteers, willing to
serve without compensation, and will assist in administering the
functions of the Board of Examiners in Optometry with compassion
and commitment.

     Your Committee notes as follows with respect to the specific
qualifications of the nominees:

     Barbara J. Dirks, O.D., is Lead Optometrist at the Neighbor
Island Clinic, Kaiser Permanente.  She received her optometry
degree from Pacific University in 1982, and has practiced
optometry in Hawaii since 1986.  Dr. Dirks' community activities

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1826
                                   Page 2


include volunteering her services in the Vision and Learning
programs in Maui and Kona schools.

     Franklin Y.P. Lau, O.D., has practiced optometry in Hawaii
since 1983.  Dr. Lau was president of the Hawaii Optometric
Association from 1988 to 1989, and named as its Optometrist of
the Year in 1995.  Dr. Lau is also a commissioned officer in the
United States Army Reserve and active with various community
organizations, including the Waikiki Sunrise Lions Club and Lung
Kong Kung Shaw. 

     Ernest K. Oshiro, O.D., received his degree in optometry
from the University of California-Berkeley School of Optometry in
1985, and has practiced optometry in Hawaii for fourteen years.
Dr. Oshiro is a past president of the Hawaii Optometric
Association and is on the Board of Directors of the Laser Eye
Institute of Hawaii. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to
this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the
background, character, 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 Commerce and
                                   Consumer Protection,



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN KANNO, Co-Chair



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Co-Chair

 
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