STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1324

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 618, 619, 620, 621, 640

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 618, 619, 620, 621, and 640, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs

 

G.M. No. 618

JIM CISLER,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015;

 

G.M. No. 619

FRANCINE DUDOIT TAGUPA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015;

 

G.M. No. 620

MARILYN SEELY,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015;

 

G.M. No. 621

EUDICE SCHICK,

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

 

G.M. No. 640

ANTHONY LENZER,

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 Jim Cisler, Francine Dudoit-Tagupa, Marilyn Seely, Eudice Schick, and Anthony Lenzer to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Jim Cisler from the Executive Office on Aging and four individuals.

 

     Mr. Cisler earned an Associate of Arts degree in Journalism and an Associate of Science degree in Economics from Lane Community College.  He is retired with almost forty years of experience in business, including advertising and promotions, public relations, operations, customer service, and sales support.  Mr. Cisler was formerly a Customer Service Specialist at AmSan, LLC and was the owner and operator of Treehouse Restaurant in Eugene, Oregon for twenty years.

 

     Mr. Cisler expressed through his personal statement that his goals as a member of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs will be to listen and learn, and then advise the Governor of the conditions, needs, and concerns of Hawaii's elder population.  Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Mr. Cisler is intelligent, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable and will be a good advocate for Hawaii's seniors.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Cisler resides on the Island of Hawaii, thus ensuring broader representation and perspectives on the Board.  His passion to make a positive contribution post retirement is a testament to his commitment to the work of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

 

     Your Committee is confident that Mr. Cisler's solid background in business, public relations, and communications will be a valuable asset to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Francine Dudoit-Tagupa from the Executive Office on Aging, Waikiki Health Center, and eighteen individuals.

 

     Ms. Dudoit-Tagupa is a Registered Nurse and a Native Hawaiian Practitioner.  She currently serves as Waikiki Health Center's Director of the Native Hawaiian Healing program, and provides services throughout the agency's network of clinics and outreach programs.  She previously worked as the Chief Executive Officer at Malama Ka Ohana a Pau Loa and as a Registered Nurse at St. Francis Hospice.

 

     Ms. Dudoit-Tagupa has worked on issues relating to health and aging for over three decades.  She has empowered older adults to live productive lives through community-based organizations including Alu Like, Inc., Ke Ola Mamo, Waikiki Health Center, St. Francis Senior Program, and Molokai Retired Senior Volunteer Program.  She was the past president of the advisory board of the Molokai Retired Senior Volunteer Program and is currently a Board member of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board and Na Hululei Kupuna Council.

 

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Ms. Dudoit-Tagupa is highly committed to serving the needs of the elderly.  She is compassionate and understanding, and has a unique ability to bring people of various backgrounds and perspectives together to achieve a common goal.

 

     Ms. Dudoit-Tagupa expressed through her personal statement that she has devoted her career to valuing, honoring, and respecting Hawaii's kupuna.  She is proud of her ability to collaborate and work in partnership with various state agencies on behalf of kupuna, and she looks forward to being a voice from the community on a statewide level.

 

     Your Committee believes that Ms. Dudoit-Tagupa's nursing credentials, extensive background in Native Hawaiian healing, Hawaiian cultural education, advocacy for kupuna, chronic pain management, and experience with individual and family counseling make her uniquely qualified to serve on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Marilyn Seely from the Executive Office on Aging, AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans, and nine individuals.

 

     Ms. Seely earned a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Hawaii and a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York.  She is a retired state government worker with a long professional history in gerontology.  She was employed with the Executive Office on Aging for seventeen years, including eight years as Director.  During this time, she worked closely with the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs and therefore has firsthand knowledge about the Board and the mission and programs of the Executive Office on Aging.

 

     Since her retirement from state government, Ms. Seely has volunteered for several organizations.  She is involved in end-of-life care as a volunteer Board member for Hospice Hawaii and Kokua Mau.  She also is on the Board of Directors of the Kokua Council and is a member of the Kupuna Caucus.  She currently works part-time for the University of Hawaii Center on Aging as an aging specialist working in education, publicity, policy, and research areas.

 

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Ms. Seely was well known and widely respected as a staunch and successful advocate for the elderly during her time as Director of the Executive Office on Aging.  As Director, Ms. Seely, along with the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, developed numerous policies to address the physical, social, and health care needs of the aging.  Kupuna Care, the home and community-based service program for seniors, and Kokua Mau, Hawaii's hospice and palliative care organization, were implemented under her direction.

 

     Ms. Seely expressed through her personal statement that she fully understands the role and responsibilities of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, based on her previous hands-on experience with the Board.  She is passionate about the work that needs to be done to support the aging population, and believes she is in a unique position to assist the Board and the Executive Office on Aging with the many complex issues that must be addressed on behalf of older adults in Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee is confident that the State will fully benefit from having the expertise and commitment of Ms. Seely on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Eudice Schick from the Executive Office on Aging, Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP Hawaii), City and County of Honolulu Department of Community Services, Hawaii County Council, AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans, and nine individuals.

 

     Ms. Schick earned her Associate's degree in Accounting from Burdett College of Business Administration.  Prior to her retirement, she served as business office manager for a Honolulu law firm, and owned and operated her own business.

 

     Ms. Schick has been a member of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs since 2007.  As a member, she has held several leadership positions, including Chair of the Legislative Committee and Chair of the Board.  As Chair of the Legislative Committee, she acts as an advisor to the Board's Recognition and Awards Committee and the Plans and Projects Committee.

 

     Ms. Schick is an extremely active community member and volunteer.  She volunteers for SMP Hawaii, the Volunteer Long-term Care Program and The Queen's Medical Center.  Ms. Schick is also Chair of the Honolulu Committee on Aging and serves on the Advisory Council of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.  She was recognized in 2010 as an outstanding senior volunteer at the 44th Annual Mayor's Senior Recognition Program.

 

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Ms. Schick is a highly effective advocate for elders and a dedicated community volunteer.  Decades of business and volunteer experience allow her to bring people together for a common goal.  She is able to use her knowledge of issues related to seniors and her experience in working with state government to effect positive changes for Hawaii's aging population.

 

     Ms. Schick expressed through her personal statement that she is looking forward to working closely with the Executive Office on Aging and advising the Executive Office on Aging on the myriad of issues it may face as the Office continues to take on the responsibilities of caring for Hawaii's kupuna and for persons with disabilities.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Schick is a tireless volunteer who has a deep understanding of the issues that the elderly face.  The Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs will greatly benefit from her reappointment.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Anthony Lenzer from the Executive Office on Aging, AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans, Kupuna Education Center, The Mestizo Association, and four individuals.

 

     Dr. Anthony Lenzer earned his Doctorate of Philosophy in Sociology from the University of Michigan and a degree in Education from Antioch College.  Prior to his retirement, he was a faculty member at the University of Hawaii, where he developed a Gerontology Program at the University of Hawaii's School of Public Health.  He also served as the first Director for the University of Hawaii's Center on Aging.  Under Dr. Lenzer's leadership, the Center developed two certificate programs, provided faculty teaching and research awards, and created a PBS series and college telecourse.  Dr. Lenzer was given the title of Professor Emeritus of Public Health upon his retirement.  He also helped develop a chronic disease and aging program at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

 

     Since retiring, Dr. Lenzer has continued to actively participate in advocacy, public policy development, and community education on aging, long-term care, and death and dying.  He serves as Vice President of the Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition and Kokua Council and is a Board member of the Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans and the Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society.  He will also serve as an interim member of the Disability and Communication Access Board until June 30, 2011, and has been a community member of the Legislative Committee of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs for several years.

 

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Dr. Lenzer has been a tireless advocate for active social change on behalf of Hawaii's kupuna.  In his retirement, he continues to serve on organizations that strive to develop public policies and programs that will improve the lives of seniors in Hawaii.

 

     Dr. Lenzer expressed through his personal statement that he sees the role of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs in two main areas.  First, as advisors to the Executive Office on Aging, the Board should be a place for discussing plans, proposals, and legislation.  Second, as an organization focused on advocacy, the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs has developed a strong and effective program on behalf of Hawaii's older citizens, their families, and caregivers.  Eventually he sees the Board broadening its activities - a move that will require coordination and cooperation with the disability community and its advocates.  Dr. Lenzer is confident that, by virtue of his background and experience, he can contribute meaningfully to the mission of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

 

     Your Committee finds that Dr. Lenzer's general background and extensive knowledge in the field of aging will be a tremendous asset to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair