STAND. COM. REP. NO. 491

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 367, 431, 432, 433, 434

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 367, 431, 432, 433, and 434, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Highway Safety Council

 

G.M. No. 367

ANITA DIMAURO,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013;

 

G.M. No. 431

EVAN K. CHING,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013;

 

G.M. No. 432

CHARLES M. HIRATA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013;

 

G.M. No. 433

GEORGE L. KEKUNA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013; and

 

G.M. No. 434

MITCHELL S. NAKAGAWA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

 

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Anita Di Mauro from the Department of Transportation; and Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii. 

     Anita Di Mauro received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Elmira College in Elmira, New York.  She has been a member of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Hawaii since 1984, and was on the MADD National Board from 2001-2002.  From 1987-1989, Ms. Di Mauro was the Chair of Drug Addiction Services of Hawaii (DASH). 

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Evan K. Ching from the Department of Transportation.

 

     Evan K. Ching received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaii.  He has been with the Honolulu Police Department since 1978, most recently as Captain since 2003.  Captain Ching has been the Executive Officer of the Traffic Division since 2006.  The nominee is also active in a variety of community organizations and activities, receiving the Governor's Kilohana Award for Outstanding Volunteerism in 2001. 

 

     Your Committee notes that Evan K. Ching has received the following relevant training in traffic safety:  Basic Traffic Accident Investigation, Institute of Police Management and Technology (IPTM); Advanced Traffic Accident Investigation and Reconstruction, IPTM; Speed Management Workshop; Forum on Traffic Records and Highway Safety Information Systems; New Approaches to Highway Safety Analysis; and Developing a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Charles M. Hirata from the Department of Transportation. 

 

     Charles M. Hirata has been with the Maui Police Department since 1977, where he is currently a Captain and Commander of the Lahaina Police District.  As a Traffic Commander, Captain Hirata supervises the DUI Task Force and Vehicle Homicide Unit, and is an ex-officio member of the Maui Traffic Safety Council and Maui Street Lighting Committee.  Captain Hirata is also a member of the Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition – Safe Kids Hawaii. 

 

     Your Committee notes that the nominee introduced the use of laser transit and electronic data collection for traffic crash investigation, and in 2002 administered the Maui County Innovative Seatbelt Demonstration grant.  Captain Hirata is the recipient of numerous community service recognition awards, including two awards from MADD for Law Enforcement, a Keiki Injury Prevention Certificate of Recognition in Child Passenger Safety, a Governor's Highway Safety Council Alakai Award for Leadership in Traffic Safety in Hawaii, and a 2001 Hawaii State Senate Certificate in Recognition for Contributions to Improve Traffic Safety.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of George L. Kekuna from the Department of Transportation. 

 

     George L. Kekuna received a Bachelor of General Studies degree from Chaminade University and a Master of Arts degree from Central Michigan University.  He retired from the United States Air Force in 1981 as a Lieutenant Colonel.  He has since served as the Deputy Director-Designate with the Oahu Civil Defense Agency; Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Honolulu; and Deputy Director of the Honolulu Department of Auditoriums.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Mitchell S. Nakagawa from the Department of Transportation; Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii; and three individuals. 

 

     Mitchell S. Nakagawa received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington.  He is currently the Executive Director of the Hawaii Bicycling League.  Your Committee notes that since 2007 he has been a member of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, and of the Honolulu Mayor's Advisory Committee on Bicycling.

 

     Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs 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 Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair