STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1524

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 503, 504, 506, 507

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 503, 504, 506, and 507, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Hawai'i Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances

 

G.M. No. 503

BILLIE GABRIEL,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013;

 

G.M. No. 504

LOUIS M. KEALOHA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013;

 

G.M. No. 506

MICHELE S. SCOFIELD,

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

 

G.M. No. 507

STEVEN M. SHIRAKI,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Upon review of the statements submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that the aforementioned nominees will work with compassion and commitment to assist in administering the functions related to drug abuse and controlled substances for the people of Hawaii.  Your Committee further finds that the nominees have been appointed based on their credentials, integrity, and a desire to make Hawaii better through their participation on the Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances to which they have been nominated.

 

     Your Committee received testimony supporting the nomination of each of these individuals from the Department of Health.  Additional testimony was submitted by eight individuals supporting the nomination of Billie Gabriel and two individuals supporting the nomination of Steven M. Shiraki.

 

     Billie Gabriel is a self-employed consultant who is engaged in public relations, marketing, advertising, event planning, and fundraising.  Her thirty-year career has also involved managing comprehensive development, media relations, brand imaging, sponsor recruitment, donor relations, and legislative lobbying.  As Vice‑President of Development with Easter Seals Hawaii between 1993 and 2007, she developed a comprehensive strategy, marketing, and media plan to create greater awareness of the organization and its programs and services.  Between 1979 and 1992, Ms. Gabriel served as Director of Community Relations for Kapiolani Medical Center with responsibilities for managing fundraising events such as the Children's Miracle Network Telethon.

 

      Louis M. Kealoha is a Captain with the Honolulu Police Department (HPD), Juvenile Services Division.  He is currently on special assignment to the Narcotics Vice Division.  Prior to his current assignment, Captain Kealoha's service with HPD has included: Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Training Sergeant, Recruit Class Supervisor, Training and Administrative Lieutenant, and Captain within the Criminal Investigation Division.  In addition to his work with the Honolulu Police Department, Captain Kealoha is an Adjunct Professor and Lecturer in courses on criminal law, criminology and the criminal justice system at Chaminade University of Honolulu.  He holds dual baccalaureate degrees (in human services and occupational education), a Master's of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, and a Doctor of Education degree.

 

     Michele S. Scofield is a Practicum Instructor/Project Junior Specialist with the University of Hawaii at Manoa, School of Social Work, Pulama I Ke ala Social Work Master's Program Training Project.  In addition to academic credentials in the field of social work, she is a licensed social worker and certified substance abuse counselor.  Ms. Scofield's experiences in programs that address behavioral health include: classroom experience with special education students at Wheeler Elementary School, Nimitz Elementary School, Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary School, and Hickam Elementary School; public and consumer education with the Department of Health, Adult Mental Health Division and Mental Health Association; and clinical experience in the field of substance abuse at Hina Mauka.

 

      Dr. Steven M. Shiraki is the Administrator/Educational Specialist with the Department of Education Student Support Section of the Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support, Student Support Services Branch.  He has an extensive academic and professional background in the field of education.  His areas of specialization are special education and legal issues for administrators, supervision and teacher development, and curriculum/instructional leadership.  He began his professional work with the Department of Education in 1993 as a Special Education Teacher at Kawananakoa Intermediate School and served as Vice Principal at various elementary schools before serving as a District and State Educational Specialist.  Dr. Shiraki has taught college courses and has given numerous scholarly and professional presentations.  Dr. Shiraki is jointly appointed (pursuant to Sections 329-2 and 334-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes) to the State Council on Mental Health, due to his extensive knowledge of the community and the relationships between mental health, mental illness and substance abuse.

 

     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 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 Health,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair