STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1318

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, and 523, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Mental Health And Substance Abuse, Kaua'i Service Area Board

 

G.M. No. 517

ANGELA UECHI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 518

ELENA ELLENBERGER,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 519

KEVIN MYRICK,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 520

KURT NAGATA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 521

LANI NAGAO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 522

MONICA CONTRADES,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019; and

 

G.M. No. 523

SHEILA CALCAGNO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Angela Uechi, Elena Ellenberger, Kevin Myrick, Kurt Nagata, Lani Nagao, Monica Contrades, and Sheila Calcagno to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kauai Service Area Board.

 

ANGELA UECHI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Angela Uechi from the Department of Health, Friendship House, and Friendship Club.

 

     Ms. Uechi is currently employed by Mental Health Kokua as a relief resident assistant, and she is also a personal assistant to an individual who recently became blind.  As a consumer of mental health services, Ms. Uechi has committed her time to working and volunteering with others in her community who need assistance.  For almost six years, Ms. Uechi has been a member of Friendship House Kauai, and she presently serves on the Friendship Club Board of Directors.  In addition, Ms. Uechi is a Hawaii Certified Peer Specialist and is enrolled in Benefits Practitioner Training through the University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies.  In her personal statement, Ms. Uechi indicated that she hopes to form policy to increase the allowance level of care-home residents, establish an in-patient treatment facility, and bring needed psychiatrists to Kauai.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Uechi's background, experience, and community involvement will be great assets to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kauai Service Area Board.

 

ELENA ELLENBERGER

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Elena Ellenberger from the Department of Health.

 

     Ms. Ellenberger works for the Steadfast Development Corporation as a residential specialist and group home managers team leader.  For many years, Ms. Ellenberger has been helping individuals in recovery obtain successful housing, often serving as a liaison between the treatment team, landlord, housing agency, and consumer.  Ms. Ellenberger is also an artist, and her design was chosen as the agency design for the Steadfast Development Corporation.  Your Committee notes Ms. Ellenberger's commitment to ending homelessness in her community, as evidenced by her involvement with the Kauai Chapter of Bridging the Gap for Housing and Urban Development's Continuum of Care Program.  In her personal statement, Ms. Ellenberger indicated that she hopes to promote recovery, meaningful community involvement by individuals with mental illness and substance abuse, and to establish a substance abuse rehabilitation facility on Kauai.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Ellenberger's knowledge, experience, and dedication to the community will benefit the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kauai Service Area Board.

 

KEVIN MYRICK

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Kevin Myrick from the Department of Health, Hawaii Pacific Health, and one individual.

 

     Mr. Myrick is presently the nurse manager of critical care service line at Wilcox Memorial Hospital.  With twenty-seven years of experience as a registered nurse in a variety of healthcare settings, Mr. Myrick has expertise in emergency, surgery, and critical care.  Mr. Myrick has also served as a healthcare administrator for many years, and is an advocate for the medical, emotional, and psychological needs of all patients.  Community involvement is important to Mr. Myrick, and he is active in the local county suicide task force.  In his personal statement, Mr. Myrick indicated that he hopes to reduce the stigma of mental health patients seeking medical care, remove barriers to care, and educate healthcare professionals on how they are perceived in the mental health community.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Myrick's skills, professional experience, and demonstrated interest in helping the community will greatly assist the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kauai Service Area Board.

 

KURT NAGATA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Kurt Nagata for reappointment from the Department of Health.

 

     Mr. Nagata is employed at Kala's Kreations as a part-time employee.  He is also a certified speaker and has completed facilitator training through the mental health transformation grant.  Mr. Nagata enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with others, is actively involved on the Kauai Friendship Club Board of Directors, and has served on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kauai Service Area Board, since 2013.  In addition, Mr. Nagata was previously a member of the Self-Advocacy Advisory Council.  In his personal statement, Mr. Nagata indicated that he has lived a full life as a recovering alcoholic diagnosed with a mental illness, and wants to instill hope in others who have a mental illness to help them live a healthier and more fulfilling life.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Nagata's personal history, experience, and demonstrated community involvement qualify him for reappointment to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kauai Service Area Board.

 

LANI NAGAO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Lani Nagao from the Department of Health and one individual.

 

     Ms. Nagao is the Director of Business and Community Relations at the McKenna Recovery Center and, in addition to her job responsibilities, finds time to speak with patients and provide support in their recovery.  Ms. Nagao has extensive knowledge about addiction, recovery, and treatment, and describes her biggest strength as her desire to improve society.  As a community development specialist, Ms. Nagao excels at connecting people and organizations to maximize opportunities for successful connections and improve patient well-being.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Nagao has demonstrated significant dedication to public service, as evidenced by her volunteer efforts with the Boys and Girls Club and Kauai Rotary Club, and her service as President of the Kauai Rural Health Association and on the Mayor of Kauai's Advisory Council for Substance Abuse Treatment and Community Integration.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Nagao's knowledge, leadership experience, and commitment to public service will be valuable assets to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kauai Service Area Board.

 

MONICA CONTRADES

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Monica Contrades for reappointment from the Department of Health.

 

     Ms. Contrades is a certified speaker through the mental health transformation grant.  For the past eight years, Ms. Contrades has been actively involved in the Consumer, Family, and Youth Hui and Speakers' Bureau through which she is able to share her story with numerous community groups such as Aloha United Way and Rotary Club of Kauai.  As a mental health consumer for over fifty years, Ms. Contrades believes that her experiences can serve as an example and help to educate her community about mental illness in order to reduce the stigma associated with it.  Born and raised on Kauai, Ms. Contrades is actively involved in her community, serving on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kauai Service Area Board, since 2012, and as a member of Friendship House Kauai in the Food Unit, where she shares her love of baking and cooking with her peers.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Contrades' personal experience, skills, and community involvement qualify her for reappointment to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kauai Service Area Board.

 

SHEILA CALCAGNO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Sheila Calcagno for reappointment from the Department of Health and two individuals.

 

     Ms. Calcagno is currently employed with the Community Health Outreach Work to Prevent AIDS Project as an outreach worker for substance abuse working to strengthen families against drug abuse.  For over fifteen years, Ms. Calcagno has served the community as an outreach worker for mental health consumers with dual diagnoses, also advocating for improving the lives of individuals living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus that are likely to engage in drug use.  Ms. Calcagno is dedicated to community service and, in addition to serving on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kauai Service Area Board, since 2013, she is the Kauai representative on the State Council on Mental Health.  In addition, Ms. Calcagno has volunteered for many years with the community planning board for HIV in Oahu, a women's shelter, and Hale Opio Kauai as a therapeutic foster parent.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Calcagno's background, experience, and extensive public service qualify her for reappointment to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kauai Service Area Board.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair