STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3649

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, 658, 659, 660, 741, 764, 765

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, 658, 659, 660, 741, 764, and 765, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Hawai'i Workforce Development Council

 

G.M. No. 640

BRIAN TATSUMURA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 641

CHARLES SHIMA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 642

MARIAN TSUJI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2018;

 

G.M. No. 643

MIRIAM WINONA WHITMAN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019 (term amended to 6-30-2018 by GM779);

 

G.M. No. 644

RICHARD VIEIRA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 658

BARRY TANIGUCHI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2016;

 

G.M. No. 659

BARRY TANIGUCHI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 660

CARL HINSON,

for a term to expire 06-30-2017;

 

G.M. No. 741

SUNSHINE TOPPING,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 764

SEAN KNOX,

for a term to expire 06-30-2018; and

 

G.M. No. 765

SHERYL NOJIMA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2018,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Brian Tatsumura, Charles Shima, Marian Tsuji, Miriam Winona Whitman, Richard Vieira, Barry Taniguchi, Carl Hinson, Sunshine Topping, Sean Knox, and Sheryl Nojima to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council.

 

BRIAN TATSUMURA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Brian Tatsumura from the Workforce Development Council and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Tatsumura has forty-three years of experience in the retail industry.  Mr. Tatsumura is presently the Nordstrom's Store Manager in Hawaii.  Mr. Tatsumura actively serves the community as a current member of the Aloha United Way Board of Directors and Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation Board of Trustees, and Chairperson of the Workforce Development and Education Policy Committee of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.  Testimony submitted by the Workforce Development Council notes that Mr. Tatsumura will assist the Council in identifying barriers associated with preparing and positioning local employees to meet employers' needs.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Tatsumura's experience and knowledge of the retailing and merchandising industry in Hawaii, one of the State's largest industries, will be great assets to the Workforce Development Council.

 

CHARLES SHIMA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Charles Shima from the Workforce Development Council and Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Shima has over twenty-five years of experience in the plumbing and mechanical trades.  Mr. Shima began his career as an apprentice and is presently the Training Coordinator for the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 675 Apprenticeship Program.  As the Training Coordinator, Mr. Shima is responsible for managing all operations of the program, including the oversight of approximately six hundred apprentices throughout the State.  Mr. Shima has served the community as a member of the Executive Board of Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 675.  Testimony submitted by the Workforce Development Council notes that Mr. Shima will assist the Council in identifying barriers associated with preparing and positioning local labor for employment.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Shima's experience in the construction industry, as well as his proven leadership, will be assets to the Workforce Development Council.

 

MARIAN TSUJI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Marian Tsuji from the Workforce Development Council, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Tsuji has actively been involved in the private and public sectors for thirty years.  Ms. Tsuji worked for several years as an independent consultant for corrections program development, training, and evaluation and she has extensive experience in the corrections industry in New York and Hawaii, including serving as the Deputy Director for Corrections at the Department of Public Safety.  Ms. Tsuji is presently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lanakila Pacific, a non-profit organization that provides workforce training, life skills development, and meals-on-wheels to adults with disabilities.  Testimony submitted by the Workforce Development Council notes that Ms. Tsuji will bring historical background and perspective to the Council, as she previously served as Chairperson of the Council.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Tsuji's experience in workforce training, as well as her background in public safety, will be assets to the Workforce Development Council.

 

MIRIAM WINONA WHITMAN

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Miriam Winona Whitman from the Workforce Development Council.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Winona Whitman has thirty-seven years of non-profit experience.  Since 1979, Ms. Winona Whitman has worked at Alu Like, Inc., a non-profit organization for Native Hawaiians, as the Director of the Department of Employment and Training and is responsible for the oversight of the employment and training program, including objectives and performance goals.  Ms. Winona Whitman is also a member of various organizations, including the national Advisory Council of the National Indian and Native American Employment and Training Conference, Koolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, and Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club.  Testimony submitted by the Workforce Development Council notes that Ms. Winona Whitman has extensive knowledge of the Indian and Native American Programs Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Section 166, and will assist the Council in providing guidance on Native Hawaiian issues.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Winona Whitman's knowledge of Native Hawaiian matters will be an asset to the Workforce Development Council.

 

RICHARD VIEIRA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Richard Vieira from the Workforce Development Council; Painting Industry of Hawaii Labor Management Cooperation Trust Fund; Hawaii Tapers Market Recovery Trust Fund; Hawaii Glaziers Architectural Metal Glassworkers Local Union 1889 AFL-CIO Stabilization Trust Fund; Carpet, Linoleum, and Soft Tile Local Union 1926 Market Recovery Trust Fund; Painting and Decorating Contractors Association of Hawaii; and International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 50.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Vieira has over forty-five years of experience in the painting and decorating industry.  Mr. Vieira served as Training Coordinator for the Painting Industry of Hawaii for twenty years and is currently the Director of Training for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 50.  As Director of Training, Mr. Vieira oversees all skills and safety training classes for District Council 50, a multi-trade construction union.  Mr. Vieira actively serves the community as the Chair of the Hawaii Job Corps Industry Council and served for eight years as a member of the State Apprenticeship Council.  Testimony submitted by the Workforce Development Council notes that Mr. Vieira will assist the Council in identifying barriers associated with preparing and positioning local employees for positions that are traditionally held by employees from the mainland.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Vieira's experience in the construction industry, as well as his commitment to recruitment and training programs, will be assets to the Workforce Development Council.

 

BARRY TANIGUCHI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Barry Taniguchi from the Workforce Development Council, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Ponoholo Ranch, Hawaii Food Industry Association, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Taniguchi has worked as the Chief Executive Officer of KTA Super Stores and K. Taniguchi, Ltd. for twenty-seven years and served as Chairman since February 2014.  Mr. Taniguchi is active in the community, as he currently serves on numerous boards and participates in various organizations, including President of the Board of Directors for the Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America; President of the Board of Directors of Community First; President of the Board of Directors of Hilo High School Foundation; member of Hawaii Island Economic Development's Board of Directors; and member of Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation's Board of Trustees.  Testimony submitted by the Workforce Development Council notes that Mr. Taniguchi's experience leading a locally-based grocery store chain and board membership experience will benefit the Council.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Taniguchi's leadership experience, as well as his statewide commitment to developing the workforce, will be assets to the Workforce Development Council.

 


CARL HINSON

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Carl Hinson from the Workforce Development Council.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Hinson has extensive experience in developing a skilled workforce in the health care industry on the mainland and in Hawaii.  Since May 2005, Mr. Hinson has worked as the Director of Workforce Development at Hawaii Pacific Health.  As the Director, Mr. Hinson is responsible for the development and administration of workforce development strategies to ensure achievement of Hawaii Pacific Health's mission and has initiated a number of programs to enhance employee training, provide health care industry internships, and improve the new-hire orientation process.  Mr. Hinson is active in the community, as he currently serves as Chair of Lanakila Pacific's Board of Directors and has been a member of the Workforce Development Council for the past seven years.  Testimony submitted by the Workforce Development Council notes that Mr. Hinson's workforce knowledge and experience will benefit the Council.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Hinson's experience as a current member of the Workforce Development Council, as well as his professional background, will be assets to the Workforce Development Council.

 

SUNSHINE TOPPING

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Sunshine Topping from the Workforce Development Council, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Society for Human Resource Management, and nine individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Topping has over nineteen years of human resource management experience in several types of industries and ten years of progressively responsible executive management experience.  Ms. Topping has served as the State's Director of Human Resources Development and is currently the Vice President of Human Resources at Hawaiian Telcom, overseeing human resources for approximately one thousand five hundred employees.  Ms. Topping has been a member of the Workforce Development Council since 2013, and is an active member of the community, currently serving as a Society for Human Resource Management Board member, Hawaii Language Roadmap Initiative Co-chair, and Halau Kupukupu Kealoha member.  Testimony submitted by the Workforce Development Council notes Ms. Topping's interest to continue to serve on the Council and her participation on Council committees.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Topping's experience as a current member of the Workforce Development Council, as well as her human resource management background, will be assets to the Workforce Development Council.

 

SEAN KNOX

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Sean Knox from the Workforce Development Council, Hawaii Literacy, Ponoholo Ranch, and The Hawaii Group, Inc.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Knox has over fifteen years of experience in professional staffing in Hawaii.  Mr. Knox established POI Employer Services, LLC, a professional employer organization, to assist employers in Hawaii with securing temporary administrative and accounting professionals.  Mr. Knox is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hawaii Employment Services, Inc., which has locations throughout the State and places employees in the agriculture, construction, professional, hospitality, technical, and education sectors.  Mr. Knox actively serves the community as a member of the Hawaii Literacy Board, Accounting Program Advisory Committee of Kapiolani Community College, and Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Authority.  Testimony submitted by the Workforce Development Council notes that Mr. Knox's experience working with employers and employees will be valuable to the Council.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Knox's professional experience, as well as his familiarity of various sectors within the community, will be assets to the Workforce Development Council.

 

SHERYL NOJIMA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Dr. Sheryl Nojima from the Workforce Development Council, American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii, SSFM International, and two individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that Dr. Nojima has thirty-two years of experience in civil engineering, including fifteen years as an engineering employer.  Dr. Nojima is the President of Gray, Hong, Nojima & Associates, Inc., and is responsible for the firm's business development and administration and environmental and civil services.  Dr. Nojima is active in the community, as she currently serves on the American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii's Board of Directors and has mentored civil engineering students at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Testimony submitted by the Workforce Development Council notes that Dr. Nojima's experience and knowledge of the engineering and construction industries will provide guidance to the Council on the needs of these industries.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Nojima's familiarity of workforce issues facing engineers, as well as her involvement with numerous civil projects and environmental reviews, will be assets to the Workforce Development Council.

 

     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,

 

 

 

________________________________

GILBERT S.C. KEITH-AGARAN, Chair