STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1904

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 525, 526, 533

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education and Military Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 525, 526, and 533, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Advisory Board on Veterans' Services

G.M. No. 525

WILLIAM W. DAVES,

for a term to expire 06-30-2009;

G.M. No. 526

HERRING K. KALUA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2009; and

G.M. No. 533

MARVIN R. KOGA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2009,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominees, and finds the nominees to have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to the Advisory Board on Veterans' Services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of WILLIAM W. DAVES from the Office of Veterans Services and the Oahu Veterans Council. Mr. Daves received three years of medical training from Kapiolani Community College. He is presently a National Service Officer for American Legion at Tripler Hospital. Mr. Daves is also the President of the Veterans Council on Oahu and was instrumental in getting the Veterans Center established at Foster Village. He has served his community as a three-term State Commander of the American Legion, President of the Fleet Reserve Association, and many other elected and appointed offices for various veterans' organizations. It is a privilege for Mr. Daves to serve his fellow veterans and he is always available to assist veterans and their dependents in time of need. Mr. Daves is a reappointment and has done an outstanding job on the board. His experience and knowledge of veteran affairs will make him an asset to the board.

Your Committee received testimony in support of HERRING K. KALUA from the Office of Veterans Services, The American Legion, and the Director of University Relations and External Affairs for the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Mr. Kalua received a certificate from Hawaii Technical School in Welding and Sheet Metal, and an associate's degree in liberal arts and police science from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. He is presently a construction maintenance supervisor for the Department of Transportation Highways Division on the Island of Hawaii. Mr. Kalua has been actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America, the advisory committee for prisons, and was a past Bishop with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His involvement with veterans service organizations has spanned thirty-two years from the American Legion to the past president of the Big Island National Guard Retirees Association. Mr. Kalua has continually supported veterans programs and activities and his dedication to veterans' affairs will greatly benefit veterans' communities and the board.

Your Committee received testimony in support of MARVIN R. KOGA from the Office of Veterans Services and the General Contractors Association of Hawaii. Mr. Koga received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Hawaii. He is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mega Construction, Inc. Mr. Koga is the past president of the General Contractors Association and the Construction Industry Legislative Organization, and he continues to serve several veterans' organizations. Through his services to the community, Mr. Koga has shown his keen insight and knowledge of the broad spectrum of problems faced by Hawaii's veteran population. Mr. Koga's professional experience with Mega Construction, Inc. demonstrates his outstanding managerial abilities, and his expertise will be an asset to the board.

Your Committee members diligently questioned the nominees regarding their vision and priorities of the advisory board. The nominees demonstrated a commitment to proactively protect and improve the integrity of the Advisory Board on Veterans' Services. Your Committee believes that the nominees adequately responded to the Committee's inquiries.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and Military Affairs that is 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 and Military Affairs,

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair