STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3209

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 414, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 414, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, and 452, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Rehabilitation Council

 

G.M. No. 414

DONALD THOMSON,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013;

 

G.M. No. 447

JUDITH CORYELL,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013;

 

G.M. No. 448

REGINA GOO,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013;

 

G.M. No. 449

GWEN L. KELIIHOOMALU,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013;

 

G.M. No. 450

PINA S. LEMUSU,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013;

 

G.M. No. 451

HOWARD ALAN LESSER,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013; and

 

G.M. No. 452

ROBERT SCOTT WALL,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

 

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

DONALD THOMSON

 

     Testimony in favor of Donald Thomson's nomination was submitted by the Department of Human Services.

 

     Donald Lee Thompson obtained a Master of Arts degree in Sociology and a concurrent Master of Arts degree in American Studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1971.  Between 1971 and 2007, Mr. Thomson was a Professor at Leeward Community College in the Social Sciences Division.  After leaving Leeward Community College, Mr. Thomson became a Professor Emeritus at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, a position he currently holds.  Mr. Thomson was also the President of Friends of Jazz Hawaii from 1990-1998, and currently is the Vice President of the Hawaii Association of the Blind, a post which he has held since 1969.

 

     Mr. Thomson has served previously on the State Rehabilitation Council, and the Department of Human Services spokesperson testified that he has brought a wealth of years of experience, primarily in the area of legislative matters, processing and effectively addressing the issues that arise in advocating for people with disabilities.  As a former vocational rehabilitation services recipient, Mr. Thomson brings a unique perspective to the Council and maintains that given the right opportunity, training and tools, people with disabilities can achieve the same level of education and employment as their non-disabled counterparts.

 

     Your Committee finds, based on Donald Lee Thomson's knowledge, abilities, and experience, that he is suited for a position on the State Rehabilitation Council and recommends that he be reappointed for another term.

 

JUDITH CORYELL

 

     Testimony in favor of Judith Coryell's nomination was submitted by the Department of Human Services and two individuals.

 

     Judith Coryell obtained an Associate's degree in Nursing from Northern Arizona University in 1969 and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from San Diego State University in 1974.  In 1978, Ms. Coryell went on to obtain a Master of Arts degree from California State University Northridge in Special Education, with a concentration in Deaf Education, followed by a doctorate in Education from the University of Rochester in 1989.

 

     Ms. Coryell is currently an Assistant Professor at both Kapiolani Community College and University of Hawaii at Manoa, positions she has held since 2007 and 2002, respectively.  Previous to that, Ms. Coryell was an Associate Professor at McDaniel College in Maryland, California State University Northridge, and Rochester Institute of Technology.

 

     Ms. Coryell is affiliated with numerous groups, including the National Association of the Deaf, Council of American Instructors of the Deaf, Council of Exceptional Children, and the Aloha State Association of the Deaf.  Ms. Coryell has her California Teaching Credentials Certificate as well as a Professional Certificate from the Council on Education for the Deaf.

 

     Testimony on Ms. Coryell's behalf indicates that she is extremely capable and has a strong background with experience in serving the community.  She also has a great attitude and takes the initiative to get things done.  Ms. Coryell is highly creative as a visionary and has a vast pool of information and experiences.

 

     Your Committee finds that based on Judith Coryell's knowledge, abilities, and experience that she is well-suited for a position on the State Rehabilitation Council and recommends her appointment.

 

REGINA GOO

 

     Testimony in favor of Regina Goo's nomination was submitted by the Department of Human Services, the Disability and Communication Access Board and two individuals.

    

     Ms. Goo completed courses in the Human Services Program at Honolulu Community College and also studied Culinary Arts at Kapiolani Community College.  Ms. Goo has worked for several years in the field of education and is currently an Educational Assistant with the Department of Education.  She also is a Vocational Assistant at Goodwill Industries.  Ms. Goo has served as a member of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Board for the past thirteen years and serves as a representative on the Legislature's Deaf and Blind Task Force.

 

     Testimony indicates that Ms. Goo has a strong interest in community service and works to improve the community, especially in the area of communication access for individuals that are deaf and hard of hearing.  She has a good attitude and would be a great asset to the State Rehabilitation Council.  Ms. Goo brings a great understanding of the complexities of the deaf and hard of hearing community and their needs for employment as she is a previous recipient of vocational rehabilitation services.

 

     Your Committee is confident that, based on her knowledge, experience and skills, Regina Goo is well-suited for a position on the State Rehabilitation Council and recommends her appointment.

 

GWEN KELIIHOOMALU

 

     Testimony in support of Gwen Keliihoomalu's nomination was submitted by the Department of Human Services.

 

     Ms. Keliihooomalu received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Riverside in 1975 and her Master of Arts degree from California State University in 1976 in Counseling and Guidance.  In 1978 she was a doctoral candidate at the University of California, Los Angeles.  Currently, Ms. Keliihoomalu is a Senior Vocational Consultant at Broadspire/Crawford & Company.  Previously, she has held numerous positions in the rehabilitation field in California, Arizona, and Hawaii.  Ms. Keliihoomalu holds several credentials, including being a licensed mental health counselor, certified rehabilitation counselor, and a registered vocational rehabilitation specialist.

 

     Testimony submitted by the Department of Human Services indicates that Ms. Keliihoomalu brings a much needed perspective from private industries and she is a qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor providing services for individuals that are disabled.  Ms. Keliihoomalu maintains that consistency of opportunity and education leads to the possibilities of quality employment and a life filled with dreams attained.

 

     Your Committee is confident that, based on her knowledge, experience, and skills, Gwen Keliihoomalu is an asset to the State Rehabilitation Council and recommends her reappointment.

 

PINA S. LEMUSU

 

     Testimony in favor of Ms. Lemusu's nomination was submitted by the Department of Human Services, Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind, Abilities Unlimited, and one individual.

 

     Ms. Lemusu received her Associate's degree in Liberal Arts from Leeward Community College in 1999 followed by her Bachelor of Arts degree in Justice Administration in 2002 from the University of Hawaii, West Oahu.  She went on to obtain her Master's degree in Education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2006 followed by studies beginning in 2007 for a doctorate degree in Special Education.  Ms. Lemusu currently works at the Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the Blind Division where she holds two concurrent positions as Metro Section Supervisor and Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist.  Previously, Ms. Lemusu has worked at Hawaii Centers for Independent Living and Lanakila Rehabilitation Center.  Ms. Lemusu is very active in the community and in the rehabilitation field, where she is affiliated with the State Rehabilitation Council, the National Rehabilitation Association, the Statewide Independent Living Council and the University of Hawaii Vocational Rehabilitation Advisory Board.

 

     Testimony submitted indicates that Ms. Lemusu is a grassroots advocate with a broad understanding of individuals with disabilities and experiences that add to her wealth of knowledge.  She brings with her a gentle calmness and thoughtful reflection and has outstanding communication skills that are useful with clients and employment counselors, among others.

 

Your Committee is confident that, based on her knowledge, experience and skills, Pina Lemusu is an asset to the State Rehabilitation Council and recommends her reappointment.

 

HOWARD ALAN LESSER

 

     Testimony in favor of the nomination of Howard Lesser was submitted by the Department of Human Services and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center.  Testimony in opposition to the nomination of Howard Lesser was submitted by one individual.

 

     Howard Alan Lesser obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati in 1978 and is currently employed as the Interim Executive Director at the Hawaii Disability Rights Center.  Prior to that, Mr. Lesser worked with the Hawaii Centers for Independent Living, Goodwill Industries of Honolulu, Inc, the Protection and Advocacy Agency of Hawaii, Inc., the Hawaii State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Autistic Vocational Education Center.  Mr. Lesser is very involved in community services and active with numerous organizations such as the Children's Coordinating Council, Hawaii Diabetes Association, Honolulu Community Action Program, Palolo Lions Club, and the Hawaii State Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council.

 

     Testimony in favor of Mr. Lesser's nomination indicates that he is sensitive to the needs of persons with disabilities and brings to the table an understanding of how to demonstrate the priorities of service within the vocational rehabilitation agency.  His experience in serving people with disabilities has spanned his career since moving to Hawaii in 1979 and he will serve his term with a high degree of professionalism.

 

     Your Committee finds that despite the testimony submitted in opposition to Mr. Lesser's appointment, based on his ability, experience and knowledge, Howard Lesser is well-equipped for reappointment to the State Rehabilitation Council.

 

ROBERT SCOTT WALL

 

     Testimony in favor of Mr. Wall's nomination was submitted by the Department of Human Services, Mental Health America of Hawaii, and two individuals.

 

Robert Scott Wall has varied experience in both employment and education.  Mr. Wall has studied at Laney Junior College, Santa Rosa Junior College, San Francisco State University, Diablo Valley College, College of Alameda, Texas Tech University and California State University at Hayward where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1995.  Mr. Wall is currently an Executive Assistant and Grant Writer for United Self Help and has held positions with NAMI Hawaii and the Mental Health State Incentive Grant, as well as teaching various classes at multiple levels.  Mr. Wall is a Board Member of the Makamae Unit Residents Association of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and a Certified Peer Specialist for the State of Hawaii.

 

     Testimony on Mr. Wall's behalf indicates that he is respected and honored in the mental health community for his continued work, commitment, and advocacy for individuals that are disabled.  He is a life-long mental health consumer and would bring a fresh perspective to the Council.  Mr. Wall is also a capable, effective, intelligent, and passionate advocate on behalf of people with mental illnesses.

    

     Based on Mr. Wall's knowledge, experience, and the testimony submitted, your Committee is confident that he is well-suited for the State Rehabilitation Council and recommends his appointment.

 

     Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair