STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1386

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 739, 740

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 739 and 740, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Hawai'i Workforce Development Council

 

G.M. No. 739

ANTONIO J. SAGUIBO,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015; and

 

G.M. No. 740

MARIAN TSUJI,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Antonio J. Saguibo and Marian Tsuji to possess the requisite qualifications to be appointed to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council.

 

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Antonio J. Saguibo was submitted by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Workforce Development Council, ILWU Local 142, and one individual.

 

     Antonio J. Saguibo currently serves as the Vice President of Account Management and Sales with the Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA), where he is responsible for overseeing all group and individual sales and account management and has general oversight of all Account Management and Sales activities.  From 1997 to 2002 and again from 2003 to 2006, when he assumed his position with HMSA, Mr. Saguibo served with the Laborers' Union, Local 368, AFL-CIO, as General Counsel, certified lobbyist, and Trustee to the Hawaii Laborers' Training, Health and Welfare, Annuity and Pension Trust Funds.  From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Saguibo was the First Deputy Corporation Counsel with the City and County of Honolulu's Department of the Corporation Counsel, where he was responsible for assisting in the supervision of department deputies in legal matters on behalf of the City and providing input and guidance on legal and policymaking decisions affecting the operations of the City.  From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Saguibo worked as an associate attorney in a law firm in San Diego, California, concentrating his practice in the area of workers' compensation.  Additionally, Mr. Saguibo has also served on the Board of Directors or Executive Board of several nonprofit organizations, including Blue Cross Blue Shield National Labor Office, Oahu Arts Center, Aloha United Way, and the Industrial Relations Research Association.

 

     Testimony submitted on behalf of Mr. Saguibo's confirmation praised his significant experience in health care with HMSA, labor with the AFL-CIO, and policy with the City and County of Honolulu.  As noted in testimony from the Workforce Development Council, Mr. Saguibo's experience supervising health care plan changes in the course of his work with HMSA and legal knowledge of health care will be valuable additions to the Council.  Your Committee notes that the Council assists the Governor in developing and updating comprehensive five-year strategic workforce investment plans and oversees workforce public investment activities in the State.  Mr. Saguibo's broad range of experience, particularly his private sector experience, will be valuable to the Council.

 

     Testimony in support of the appointment of Marian Tsuji was submitted by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Workforce Development Council, and one individual.

 

     Marian Tsuji currently is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lanakila Pacific, a local nonprofit offering programs and social enterprises that build independence for thousands of people with challenged lives each year.  Ms. Tsuji has also held various management positions within the corrections systems in New York City and Hawaii, including as the Deputy Director of the Department of Public Safety.  She has also served as the Chief of Staff to former Lieutenant Governor Mazie Hirono, where she coordinated projects in high technology, economic development, and education among government, private sector, and university communities.

 

     Testimony submitted on behalf of Ms. Tsuji's appointment commended her character, knowledge, enthusiasm, and commitment.  Additionally, testimony submitted by the Workforce Development Council noted that with her knowledge of public safety, Ms. Tsuji will bring to the Council critical knowledge of the workforce training needs of inmates who are released into the community.  Moreover, Ms. Tsuji has attained an understanding of those with special needs through her work with Lanakila Pacific, which will be valuable for the Council in evaluating and recommending how federal training funds should be spent on these populations.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor 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 Judiciary and Labor,

 

 

 

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair