STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3216

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 514, 515, 516, 517, 518

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 514, 515, 516, 517, and 518, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Veterinary Examiners

 

G.M. No. 514

ALAN KAUFMAN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014;

 

G.M. No. 515

MICHAEL WOLTMON,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013;

 

G.M. No. 516

MELLISSA YUEN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015;

 

G.M. No. 517

JOHN KAYA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2016; and

 

G.M. No. 518

JENEE ODANI,

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 Alan Kaufman, Michael Woltmon, Mellissa Yuen, John Kaya, and Jenee Odani to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Veterinary Examiners.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Alan Kaufman from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Kaufman's experience as a licensed veterinarian, commitment to public service, and proven leadership qualify him for appointment to the Board of Veterinary Examiners.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Kaufman has been a licensed veterinarian for over three decades.  Dr. Kaufman's professional experience ranges from training with the International Wildlife Veterinary Services to working with the National Marine Fisheries Service and National Geographic to study underwater behavior of the Hawaiian Monk Seal and working with many types of animals at his veterinary practice.  Dr. Kaufman has extensive community service experience and is familiar with serving on a public board, by virtue of his time as a board member of the Maui County Board of Ethics, the Maui County Public Safety Commission, and as an interim appointee to the Board of Veterinary Examiners.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Kaufman has been appointed to the Board of Veterinary Examiners based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Michael Woltmon from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Woltmon's experience as a licensed veterinarian, desire to contribute to the community, and previous leadership experience qualify him for appointment to the Board of Veterinary Examiners.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Woltmon has been a licensed veterinarian on the island of Kauai for over three decades.  Dr. Woltmon has worked locally and internationally in agricultural endeavors, been part owner and operator of animal production facilities, and provided veterinary services to many species of animals at his veterinary practice.  Dr. Woltmon is committed to public service and has served on the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association executive board and as a high school athletics coach, and is currently an interim appointee to the Board of Veterinary Examiners.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Woltmon has been appointed to the Board of Veterinary Examiners based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Mellissa Yuen from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and five individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Yuen's experience as a licensed veterinarian, commitment to volunteering in the community, and leadership experience qualify her for appointment to the Board of Veterinary Examiners.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Yuen has actively practiced veterinary medicine at a small animal veterinary clinic since 2006 and is accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture.  Dr. Yuen has served the community as a volunteer for the Hawaiian Humane Society, Lokahi Adopt-A-Family Program, Institute of Human Services, and Rotary Club of Mililani.  Dr. Yuen has leadership experience by virtue of her position as the President of the Honolulu Veterinary Society and is currently an interim appointee to the Board of Veterinary Examiners.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Yuen has been appointed to the Board of Veterinary Examiners based on her knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of John Kaya from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Kaya's experience in the field of veterinary medicine, commitment to public service, and proven leadership on the Board of Veterinary Examiners qualify him for reappointment to the Board of Veterinary Examiners.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Kaya has been actively engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine since 1999.  Dr. Kaya is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, Honolulu Veterinary Society, and Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, which allows him to serve as a liaison to the primary organizations that establish and maintain national professional standards and regulatory criteria.  Dr. Kaya has served on the Board of Veterinary Examiners for four years and is the current Chairperson of the Board of Veterinary Examiners.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Kaya has been reappointed to the Board of Veterinary Examiners based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Jenee Odani from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Odani's diverse background in veterinary medicine, desire to contribute to the community, and interest in serving on the Board of Veterinary Examiners qualify her for appointment to the Board of Veterinary Examiners.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Odani has been a licensed veterinarian since 1999, currently serves as an interim nominee to the Board of Veterinary Examiners, and is the only active, board-certified veterinary pathologist in the State.  Dr. Odani currently works for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, where she deals with diagnostic and regulatory issues.  Dr. Odani is a source of invaluable information to the Board by virtue of her extensive involvement coordinating the Classical Swine Fever Surveillance cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – Veterinary Services.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Odani has been appointed to the Board of Veterinary Examiners based on her knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection 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 Commerce and Consumer Protection,

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair