STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2833

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 289, 290, 291

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 289, 290, and 291, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Disability and Communication Access Board

 

G.M. No. 289

LUCY MILLER PHD,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014;

 

G.M. No. 290

LYNN K. MURAKAMI-AKATSUKA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2010; and

 

G.M. No. 291

LYNN K. MURAKAMI-AKATSUKA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Lucy Miller and Lynn K. Murakami-Akatsuka to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Disability and Communication Access Board.

 

     Testimony in support of Lucy Miller's nomination to the Disability and Communication Access Board was submitted by the Disability and Communication Access Board and two individuals.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Lucy Miller is a licensed psychotherapist who has worked in both private practice and for the Hawaii Department of Health Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division.  Ms. Miller has extensive teaching experience.  She served as an instructor of deaf culture and sign language at Kauai Community College and as an instructor of various elements of special education. 

 

     In addition to her professional experience, Ms. Miller is a member of the Mayor's Advisory Committee for Equal Access on the County of Kauai and is the current vice president of Toastmaster International of Kauai.  Ms. Miller has a history of being active in her community and has served on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, the State of Hawaii Disability and Communication Access Board, and the Hawaii State Coordinating Council on Deafness, and was the founder of the Mental Health Network for Professionals Serving the Deaf in California.

 

     Your Committee finds that Lucy Miller's impressive professional and community experience will make her a valuable member of the Disability and Communication Access Board.  Your Committee commends Ms. Miller for her extensive community participation and appreciates her willingness to use her expertise to improve the common good.

 

     Testimony in support of Lynn K. Murakami-Akatsuka's nomination to the Disability and Communication Access Board was submitted by the Disability and Communication Access Board and one individual.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Lynn Murakami-Akatsuka holds a Master's of Public Health with a specialty in Community Health Education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Ms. Murakami-Akatsuka has worked as a Public Health Educator in Hawaii in the Waipahu and Central Oahu region as well as for the Department of Health where she was awarded the Sustained Superior Performance Award in 1990 and 2007.  Ms. Murakami-Akatsuka is currently working as a planner for the Hawaii Department of Health in the Developmental Disabilities Division where she is responsible for program planning, development and evaluation, and ensuring that appropriate services and supports are reaching individuals with developmental disabilities on a statewide basis.

 

     Ms. Murakami-Akatsuka has been and continues to be extremely active in professional and community organizations.  She is currently a member of the Hawaii Public Health Association and held membership with the Imua Project for successful transitioning for youth with disabilities, the West Honolulu Community Children's Council, and the Society of Prospective Medicine to name a few.

 

     Your Committee finds that Lynn K. Murakami-Akatsuka's academic and professional focus on community health and her planning work with the Department of Health will bring important experience and insight to the Board.  Your Committee commends Ms. Murakami-Akatsuka for her active participation in her community.

 

     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