STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1706

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 762, 763, 764, 765, 766

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Higher Education and the Arts, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 762, 763, 764, 765, and 766, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Foundation on Culture and the Arts

 

G.M. No. 762

DEAN SAKAMOTO,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 763

JANE CLEMENT,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 764

KAREN POLIVKA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 765

NOELLE KAHANU,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018; and

 

G.M. No. 766

PATRICIA HAMAMOTO,

for a term to expire 6-30-2019,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Dean Sakamoto, Jane Clement, Karen Polivka, Noelle Kahanu, and Patricia Hamamoto to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

 

 

DEAN SAKAMOTO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Dean Sakamoto from the Department of Accounting and General Services and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Sakamoto serves as the principal architect for Dean Sakamoto Architects LLC.  He has previously served as Exhibition Specialist with the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and as the Resilience Specialist with the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research.  He also serves on the AIA National Committee on Disaster Assistance and is the Founder and President of Docomomo United States Hawaii Chapter.  Mr. Sakamoto has earned numerous awards for his work and has given lectures, panel discussions, and presentations around the world.  His broad professional experience will serve him well as a member of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

 

     Your Committee therefore recommends Mr. Sakamoto be appointed to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts based on his extensive experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

 

JANE CLEMENT

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Jane Clement from the Department of Accounting and General Services, and four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Clement serves as co-owner of Deep Steam Carpet Cleaners and as a legislative assistant to Hawaii County Councilman Dru Kanuha.  She additionally serves as the President of COVO Foundation, Inc., and the President of Kona Visayan Club.  She is an active member of her community, including serving as an Outreach Coordinator for The Philippine Consulate in Hawaii, hosting the television show "Truly Pinoy", writing a column for the Fil-Am Courier, and serving as an advisory board member for the Hawaii-Philippines Business and Economic Council.  As an interim member of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Ms. Clement brings her professional experience as a business owner and public servant to the Foundation.

 

     Your Committee therefore recommends Ms. Clement be appointed to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts based on her extensive experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

 

KAREN POLIVKA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Karen Polivka from the Department of Accounting and General Services, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Polivka served as the Executive Director of the Hawaii Opera Theatre for almost ten years.  She has previously acted as the Managing Director for the Music-Theatre Group in New York and the General Director of the Opera Festival of New Jersey.  Ms. Polivka is an active member in her community, including serving as a grant writer for the St. Andrew's School and a Director and Committee Member with the Governor's Women's Leadership Conference.  She has also served as a national board member with the Joyful Heart Foundation.  Her commitment to the arts community and strong leadership skills make Ms. Polivka an asset to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

 

     Your Committee therefore recommends Ms. Polivka be appointed to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts based on her extensive experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

 

NOELLE KAHANU

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Noelle Kahanu from the Department of Accounting and General Services, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and seven individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Kahanu serves as an Assistant Specialist with the Public Humanities and Native Hawaiian Programs of the University of Hawaii American Studies Department.  She has previously served as the Director of Community Affairs and as a Project Manager with Bishop Museum.  She is active on community commissions and task forces, including serving as the co-chair of the Maoli Arts Month.  She has also served as a board member with several organizations, including the Hawaii Academy of Performing Arts, Hawaii Council for the Humanities, Hale Kuai Cooperative, and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii.  Ms. Kahanu's varied professional experience and background will provide her with the necessary skills to be a member of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

 

     Your Committee therefore recommends Ms. Kahanu be appointed to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts based on her extensive experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

 

PATRICIA HAMAMOTO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Patricia Hamamoto from the Department of Accounting and General Services, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that, prior to retirement, Ms. Hamamoto served as Principal of St. Louis School.  She has previously served as Superintendent and as Interim Superintendent of the Department of Education.  She has also served in a number of educational organizations, including serving with the Council of Chief State School Officers, Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, Pacific Resources for Education and Learning, Teacher Education Coordinating Committee, University of Hawaii College of Education Advisory Council, and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.  Ms. Hamamoto's leadership experience and educational background will serve her well as a member of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

 

     Your Committee therefore recommends Ms. Hamamoto be appointed to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts based on her extensive experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair