STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1582

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 610

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, and 610, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Hawaii Teacher Standards Board

 

G.M. No. 602

BRANDEN KAWAZOE,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 603

ROXANE STEWART,

for a term to expire 6-30-2016;

 

G.M. No. 604

LESLIE MURASHIGE,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015;

 

G.M. No. 605

LESLIE MURASHIGE,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 606

KARIANE PARK TOYAMA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017; and

 

G.M. No. 610

STEVE NAKASATO,

for a term to expire 6-30-2016,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Branden Kawazoe, Roxane Stewart, Leslie Murashige, Kariane Park Toyama, and Steve Nakasato to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.

 

BRANDEN KAWAZOE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Branden Kawazoe from the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Branden Kawazoe's experience as an educator, counselor, and coach qualify him for appointment to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.  Mr. Kawazoe is a Kaiser High School counselor and head varsity boys basketball coach.  He has been the summer camp director at Assets School since 2012, where he was also a physical education teacher from 2010 to 2012.  Mr. Kawazoe holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Pacific University and a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University.  He has a strong background in athletics with experience coaching men's basketball at all levels, including positions at Neal Armstrong Middle School, Iolani High School, and Pacific University.  Mr. Kawazoe will bring a unique student-centered point-of-view to the Board.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Kawazoe has been appointed to the Hawaii Teacher Standards board as an educational officer member based on his experience working closely with students through athletics and school counseling which has given him a deep understanding of student needs and concerns.

 

ROXANE STEWART

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Roxane Stewart from the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Roxane Stewart's expertise in curriculum development, science education, and working with diverse populations qualify her for appointment to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.  Ms. Stewart is a curriculum and instruction specialist with the Kamaaha Education Initiative and fishpond manager and education specialist for Loko Ia O Hale O Lono.  She holds a Bachelor's degree in Marine Science from the University of Hawaii at Hilo and a Master's degree in Marine Resource Monitoring and Education from Union Institute and University.  Ms. Stewart was a Hawaii Community College lecturer from October 2012 through May 2013, and taught science at Ke Ana Laahana Public Charter School from 2003 through 2012, where she also spent six months as a temporary school administrator.  Ms. Stewart has done field work with the Edith Kanakaole Foundation and has been involved in various curriculum development projects over the course of her career.  Your Committee notes from Ms. Stewart's personal statement that she serves as chair for her school's teacher evaluation committee and has become skilled at examining, refining, and measuring standards, expectations, and evidence of teacher performance.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Stewart has been appointed to the Hawaii Teacher Standards board as a licensed teacher member based on her demonstrated commitment to quality instruction and public charter school success.

 

LESLIE MURASHIGE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Leslie Murashige from the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and seven individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Leslie Murashige's commitment to education and the welfare of the community qualify him for appointment to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.  Mr. Murashige provides airline consulting services, and was President of Hawaii Island Air from October 2012 through August 2013.  He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Mr. Murashige also served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Lanakila Pacific from May 2009 through October 2010.  Previously, he worked for over twenty-five years at various levels of airline management.  Mr. Murashige has also served on the Board of Directors for Lanakila Pacific and PBS Hawaii.  His rich private sector experience brings a unique perspective to the Board, and according to his testimony, Mr. Murashige believes he will contribute through his ability to ask the right questions that lead to innovative solutions and Board policies.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Murashige has been appointed and reappointed to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board as a community member based on his extensive management experience and desire to give back to his community.

 

KARIANE PARK TOYAMA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Kariane Park Toyama from the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Kariane Park Toyama's understanding of the requisite knowledge and skills for teacher licensure qualify her for appointment to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.  Ms. Park Toyama is currently a teacher at Waihee Elementary School where she has taught third and fourth grade since July 2007.  She holds a Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Ms. Park Toyama taught fourth grade at Lihikai Elementary from July 1999 through June 2007.  Testifiers noted that Ms. Park Toyama is a dependable and hard-working educator dedicated to student achievement.  Your Committee notes from Ms. Park Toyama's personal statement that she has served in various school and district level leadership positions including committee chairperson, grade level chairperson, and union chapter treasurer.  She appreciates the opportunity to be a voice for her fellow teachers, and takes such responsibility seriously.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Park Toyama has been appointed to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board as a licensed teacher member based on her years of experience as a classroom teacher and her understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary for effective instruction and classroom management.

 

STEVE NAKASATO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Steve Nakasato from the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Steve Nakasato's leadership skills and instructional expertise qualify him for appointment to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.  Mr. Nakasato is the principal of Pearl Ridge Elementary School.  He holds a Bachelor's degree in Education, Master's degree in Elementary Education, Master's degree in Educational Administration, and Doctor of Education in Professional Educational Practice, all from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  From July 2013 through June 2014, he was the director of the Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Support.  Mr. Nakasato was principal of Mililani Ike Elementary School from January 2003 through June 2013.  He previously served as principal or vice principal at various Oahu elementary schools after spending seven years teaching sixth grade.  Mr. Nakasato has engaged in educational research over the course of his career and his article, "Got Health?  The Hawaii Partnership for Standards-Based School Health Education" was published in the Journal of School Health in 2000.  He has also been the recipient of various honors, including National Distinguished Principal for the Central District in 2007 and Hawaii State Teacher Association Central District Teacher Recognition in 1991.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Nakasato has been appointed to the Hawaii Teacher Standards board as an educational officer member based on his understanding of the skills and knowledge necessary for successful performance in the classroom which he has acquired over twenty years of providing instructional support and evaluating teacher performance. 

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair