STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1920

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 723, 724, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, 730, 731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 736

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 723, 724, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, 730, 731, 732, 733, 734, 735, and 736, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Statewide Council on Independent Living

G.M. No. 723

WINNIFRED AOKI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 724

RACHEL CORDAY,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 725

BARBARA FISCHLOWITZ-LEONG,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 726

DARA Y. FUKUHARA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 727

FRANCINE M. KENYON,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 728

VIRGINIA M. KLINE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 729

KEALOHA LAEMOA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 730

MARGARET LEVY-DOHANOS,

for a term to expire 06-30-2005;

G.M. No. 731

MARGARET LEVY-DOHANOS,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 732

CHARLOTTE G. SMITH,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 733

DIANA C. TIZARD,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 734

ANDRICK C. TONG,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 735

LINDA ANN WATSON,

for a term to expire 06-30-2006; and

G.M. No. 736

ED WEIL,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008,

begs leave to report as follows:

All nominees received testimony in support from the Statewide Independent Living Council.

WINNIFRED AOKI received a degree in secondary education from the University of Hawaii and later returned to take classes in guidance and counseling. Ms. Aoki also received special training in home economics in daily living activities for the visually impaired. She was a home economics teacher for over thirty-two years with the Department of Education and a volunteer teacher's aide at Dole Middle School. Ms. Aoki has also volunteered at several senior citizen homes in helping with social activities and the Girl Scouts. As a person who was previously disabled, she has a perspective that will help the council be more responsive to consumers. Ms. Aoki's dedication to the people within her community is an inspiration and one of the many reasons she will be an asset to the council.

RACHEL CORDAY received her MFA in theatre arts from the University of Colorado and a Ph.D. in expressive arts therapy from Summit University of Louisiana. Ms. Corday is also an ordained minister with the Church of Spiritual Humanism, a Certified Expressive Arts Therapist, and a Lifetime Diplomat with the National Institute of Expressive Therapy. She has been an activist with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill for over fourteen years and has also written several books dealing with disabilities in hopes of helping others. Ms. Corday is a leading speaker and advocate for understanding the lives of those who suffer from brain disorders which cause serious mental illnesses. She would like to serve on the council to assist people with disabilities and help them live a healthier and more rewarding life. As a person with a disability, Ms. Corday has a unique perspective that will be an asset to the council.

BARBARA FISCHLOWITZ-LEONG received her bachelor's degree in english and sociology from Elmhurst College, her master's degree in education from George Washington University, and studied in the doctoral program in education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Ms. Fischlowitz-Leong is currently the Executive Director of the Assistive Technology Resources Centers of Hawaii. She has been a Career Counselor, ESL Teacher, Director of Counseling Services and Peace Corps Volunteer. Ms. Fischlowitz-Leong has been and continues to be active in organizations dealing with those who have disabilities. She has a background in agency development, management, policy development, advocacy, and funds administrations. Ms. Fischlowitz-Leong's abilities and career qualifications will make her a valuable asset to the council.

Your Committee received testimony in support of DARA Y. FUKUHARA from Krysler Consulting, Communications Pacific, and sixteen individuals. Ms. Fukuhara received her bachelor's degree in print journalism and a minor in english. She is presently employed as a Corporate Assistant Account Executive at Communications-Pacific Inc. As a person with disabilities, Ms. Fukuhara is able to share her perspective and experiences with the challenges that people with disabilities encounter. She is an advocate for herself and others, and this position will give her the opportunity to extend her knowledge and understanding to others with disabilities and the community. Ms. Fukuhara's background is compatible as well as beneficial to the council.

Your Committee received testimony in support of FRANCINE M. KENYON from four individuals. Ms. Kenyon received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Gallaudet University and her Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary. She is currently a data entry clerk working for S.O.S. Staffing Partners. Ms. Kenyon is a member of the Aloha State Association of the Deaf and, as a person with disabilities, will offer a unique perspective to the council. She would like to assure that public and private programs and services are fully accessible to people with disabilities, including deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Ms. Kenyon's knowledge and expertise in deafness-related issues qualifies her to serve as a valuable member of the council.

VIRGINIA M. KLINE received her bachelor's degree in business administration from Lake Forest College. Ms. Kline was previously employed at Pacific Aerospace Museum and for the last fifteen years has been a volunteer at Iolani Palace. She has volunteered at the Elks Club where she has been a member for over twenty-six years. As a person with a disability, Ms. Kline will offer a unique and desirable perspective to the council. She would like to help others with disabilities adjust to less productive lifestyles without compromising their values.

KEALOHA LAEMOA is presently a volunteer at the Molokai Salvation Army. As a person with disabilities, Ms. Laemoa will offer a valuable perspective to the council. She is dedicated to helping persons with disabilities. Ms. Laemoa would like to make sure that all islands are equally represented and advocates the promotion of independent living for disabled children and adults. Her goal is to become a contributing and productive member of society and the council, and promote the needs of the disabled.

Your Committee received testimony in support of MARGARET LEVY-DOHANOS from Mayor Harry Kim and five individuals. Ms. Levy-Dohanos received a fine arts degree and is certified in Adult Residential Care Home Operator "Visions" Training. Ms. Levy-Dohanos is presently working as a Home Health Aide and Home-Helper with Care Resources Hawaii, Bicil, and Metrocare. She also works in Hawaii Island Adult Care's Senior Helper Program and is a Community Voices Volunteer. Ms. Levy-Dohanos has an extensive background in home health care and has held various positions in health care in the past seven years in Hawaii. Her unique position as a Home Health Aide and friend to many persons with disabilities will allow her to make valuable contributions to the council. Your Committee notes the nominee's statement that she is dedicated to helping those with disabilities.

CHARLOTTE G. SMITH is a reappointment to the council. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology and a Master of Science in physiology from the University of Illinois. Ms. Smith worked for twenty-six years at NASA in Houston and became the first paraplegic woman to earn a pilot's license. She has since served a term on the board of Maui Economic Opportunity and founded the Maui County Commission on Persons with Disabilities. Ms. Smith also serves as chair of SILC's Public Policy Committee. She believes that the council must do all they can to facilitate senior citizens living independently, and as a council member she will continue to advocate for the elderly. Her experiences and knowledge, as a person with a disability, will add a valuable perspective to the council.

Your Committee received testimony in support of DIANA C. TIZARD from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and six individuals. Ms. Tizard received her bachelor's degree in child welfare, with minors in sociology and psychology from the University of Minnesota, and her Master in Education in counseling and guidance from the University of Hawaii College of Education. She has also done additional post-graduate studies in early childhood education and has taken continuing education courses in administration, public relations, and grant writing. Her past employment includes teaching Head Start on Molokai and serving as the Executive Director of the Hawaii State Developmental Disabilities Council. Ms. Tizard has spent most of her life working with children and people with disabilities. She hopes to work with the council as it addresses developing fiscal, personnel, and legislative approaches to strengthening its structure, and to programmatically identify long-term and annual goals for the organization. Ms. Tizard will be a valuable asset to the council.

ANDRICK C. TONG received his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and his master's in professional counseling from Argosy University in Hawaii. Mr. Tong is currently a Stockbroker for Wedbush Morgan Securities, Inc. and a sex offender Treatment therapist at John Howard Association. Through his work with CPS and the John Howard Association, as well as his studies in psychology, Mr. Tong understands how important independent living is to increase self-esteem and foster self-growth and rehabilitation. He is a reappointment who would like to continue helping those with disabilities live independently, be gainfully employed, and self-sufficient. Mr. Tong has and will continue to be an important contributor to the council.

Your Committee received testimony in support of LINDA ANN WATSON from two individuals. Ms. Watson received her Bachelor of Science degree in organizational behavior and M.Ed. in special education from Brigham Young University, Utah, and is currently attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa for her M.Ed. in counseling guidance. Ms. Watson is currently a volunteer Graduate Research Assistant for Dr. Milton Diamond at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her personal experiences and knowledge of disability legislation will make her an important asset to the council. Ms. Watson advocates to ensure that the rights and service needs of people with severe disabilities are addressed in state independent living centers.

ED WEIL is currently a trustee on the Mack Snyder Rau Foundation. As a person with a disability, Mr. Weil offers a unique and valued perspective. He has been living independently with a disability for almost fifteen years, and has a strong desire to help others live an independent life. Mr. Weil would like to help the council empower and embrace those who are candidates to live independently.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services 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 Human Services,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair