STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3169

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 552, 553

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 552 and 553, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Rehabilitation Council

 

G.M. No. 552

ARTHUR CABANILLA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017; and

 

G.M. No. 553

VIVIAN LANDRUM,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Arthur Cabanilla and Vivian Landrum to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the State Rehabilitation Council.

 

ARTHUR CABANILLA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Arthur Cabanilla from the Department of Human Services.

 

     Mr. Cabanilla is certified as an Access Technology Specialist and is dedicated to working with individuals with disabilities.  Trained and certified at the Access Technology Institute in Sacramento, California, Mr. Cabanilla owns his own business and provides training and assessment in the skills of assistive technology, teaching blind individuals the computer skills they need to successfully compete in today's job market.  For the past five years, he has directed the Assistive Technology User Group, a group of disabled users of assistive technology.

 

     Mr. Cabanilla brings to the Council his personal experience as an individual with a lifetime disability.  As a blind individual, he feels that he can contribute personal insight and knowledge to areas where individuals without disabilities are unable.  Mr. Cabanilla has served on several different consumer boards for the blind.  His experience includes serving on the Board of Directors for the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and he is currently an active member of the Hoopono's Consumer Advisory Board and the Consumer Advisory Board for the Library of the Blind and Physically Handicapped and Dyslexic.  In addition, he has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Hawaii Association of the Blind.

 

     Testimony received by your Committee indicates that Mr. Cabanilla's focus is on encouraging people with disabilities to dream, aspire, and attain their goals within a career and employment of their choice.  Mr. Cabanilla indicated in his personal statement that through his continued work on the Council, he hopes to increase the number of employed individuals who struggle with a disability, address the challenge of gainful employment for individuals with disabilities, and ensure that agencies serving the disabled community are meeting standards of quality care and service.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Cabanilla's personal background, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of individuals faced with challenges like his make him a valuable asset to the State Rehabilitation Council.

 

VIVIAN LANDRUM

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Vivian Landrum from the Department of Human Services.

 

     Ms. Landrum is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce.  She received a Bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Maryland and over the past twenty years has accumulated extensive knowledge of the business industry focusing on tourism and the promotion of the Island of Hawaii.  Ms. Landrum has previously worked at the Big Island Visitors Bureau and Big Island Group, both of which serve to promote the Island of Hawaii.

 

     Ms. Landrum has demonstrated a commitment to individuals with disabilities and related initiatives by participating in numerous meetings and forums aimed at encouraging and improving the business linkages that support the disabled community.  She expressed in her personal statement her own experience of having a stepson with a learning disability who receives vocational rehabilitation services and her desire to make a positive impact on the disabled community while using her connections with the business community.

 

     Ms. Landrum's focus is on promoting employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities to enhance their self-esteem and allow them to contribute to society.  Your Committee believes that Ms. Landrum has the experience, leadership, and willingness to actively better the community.  Her educational background, extensive work experience, and community participation are assets to the State Rehabilitation Council and a strong indication that Ms. Landrum will continue to improve employment opportunities and outcomes for persons with disabilities and advocate for adequate funding for related programs and services.

 

     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