STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1381

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 561, 562

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 561 and 562, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Hawai‘i Workforce Development Council

 

G.M. No. 561

ALFRED C. LARDIZABAL,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015; and

 

G.M. No. 562

HAROLD P. MCDERMOTT,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Alfred C. Lardizabal and Harold P. McDermott to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council.

 

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Alfred C. Lardizabal was submitted by ILWU Local 142, the Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council of the AFL-CIO, International Union of Elevator Constructors, Hawaii LECET (Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust), the Pacific Resource Partnership, Koga Engineering and Construction, Inc., Ralph S. Inouye Co., Ltd., and one individual.

 

     Mr. Lardizabal has a distinguished career in the public sector and the labor field, specifically.  From 2002 to 2010, Mr. Lardizabal served as the Director of Government and Community Relations and as Operations Manager/Editor with the Laborers' International Union of North America, Local 368.  Between 1994 and 2002, he was the Deputy Negotiator with the Office of the Governor.  Prior to his service in that position, he served as the Deputy Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Deputy Director of the Department of Taxation, and Director of the Department of Personnel Services.  From 1982 to 1986, Mr. Lardizabal served in the House of Representatives.  Mr. Lardizabal also has experience at the county level, having been the Director of Finance and Deputy Director of Finance for the County of Kauai.  Additionally, Mr. Lardizabal has experience in the private sector, having worked as a plantation trainee in Lihue, an appliance repair technician, and a licensed electronic technician, before going on to study business at the University of Hawaii and at other institutions on the mainland.

 

     Testifiers who submitted testimony in support of Mr. Lardizabal's nomination praised his extensive and broad experience in government and labor, observing that this experience would be a tremendous asset to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council.  He is well-respected by other members of the labor community, having worked closely with them on legislative activities, political action, and community projects.  One testifier commented that in Mr. Lardizabal's present position as a labor advocate, he works collaboratively with construction management to help solve problems relating to the construction industry.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Lardizabal's wide and varied experience in government and labor make him well-suited to serve on the Hawaii Workforce Development Council.  While the majority of the Council's members are from the private sector and represent employers, Mr. Lardizabal's nomination is for one of the two positions designated for labor.  Accordingly, his background has given him the experience to be keenly aware of the problems of unemployment and other labor issues and the experience and collaborative style to solve problems, while sharing with other Council members an understanding of the labor perspective.

 

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Harold P. McDermott was submitted by the Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council of the AFL-CIO, International Union of Elevator Constructors, Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association of Hawaii, and Hawaii LECET (Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust).

 

     Mr. McDermott is currently the Assistant Training Coordinator with the Plumber and Fitters UA Local 675, where he oversees the apprenticeship program for the plumbers, providing plumbing competency classes and backflow certification.  Prior to his work as the Assistant Training Coordinator, from 1996 until 2006, he worked as the Plumbing General Superintendent with Alakai Mechanical Corp, where he supervised the construction and plumbing service division and oversaw estimating and drafting for the plumbing department.  He also served as an apprenticeship instructor for the Plumber and Fitters UA Local 675.  From 1975 until 1996, he worked as a licensed plumber with Au's Plumbing and Alakai Mechanical Corp, and acted as the foreman for ongoing construction projects.

 

     Testifiers in support of Mr. McDermott's nomination commended his unparalleled enthusiasm for the growth and training of new and established plumbing journeymen and woman and his understanding of what is required to develop a strong and productive workforce.  Testimony also indicated that Mr. McDermott has the necessary personal skills to work cooperatively within a large council, and that his demeanor is calm, rational, and friendly.  Mr. McDermott is highly regarded by his peers and leaders of the construction trades industry.

 

     Your Committee notes that Mr. McDermott fills the second labor position on the Council and finds that he has the unique perspective of coming up through a trade, first as an apprentice, then as a journeyman, supervising work crews and estimating manpower costs, and then instructing, planning, and coordinating the curriculum for the statewide training program.  This perspective, and his experience with the apprenticeship program, will be invaluable to the Council, whose mission is to generate creative ideas and solutions to develop the skilled workforce that is needed by businesses in the State.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor 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 Judiciary and Labor,

 

 

 

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair