STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3420

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 641, 642

 

 

 

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. 641 and 642, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Commission on Fatherhood

 

G.M. No. 641

S. BRUCE BERGER,

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

 

G.M. No. 642

CARL MAKINO,

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 S. Bruce Berger and Carl Makino to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Commission on Fatherhood.

 

S. BRUCE BERGER

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of S. Bruce Berger from the Department of Human Services.  Your Committee received comments on the nomination of S. Bruce Berger from one individual.

 

     Mr. Berger is a licensed mental health counselor and is certified as both a rehabilitation and substance abuse counselor.  He is currently a counseling psychologist with the United States Army's Alcohol and Substance Abuse Clinic at Schofield Barracks and has over twenty years of counseling experience in Hawaii.  Through his work with the United States Army's Alcohol and Substance Abuse Clinic, Mr. Berger addresses issues of alcoholism and substance abuse by providing an array of services to soldiers who are in need of services and supports, particularly soldiers who are fathers that are in need of therapy or counseling.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Berger's professional experience as well as his personal experience as a father who is familiar with the family court system make him a valuable member of the Commission on Fatherhood.  Mr. Berger has worked to promote a father-friendly family court in Hawaii and bring awareness to the need for more transparency within the judicial system.  He believes it is important to take an active role on the Commission, and he strives to involve community members and their talents and skills for the benefit of fathers and families.  Mr. Berger indicated in his personal statement that he hopes to continue contributing to the Commission through grassroots activities that promote fatherhood and by consulting, collaborating, and helping launch a fatherhood needs assessment.

 

CARL MAKINO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Carl Makino from the Department of Human Services and State Commission on Fatherhood.

 

     Mr. Makino has an extensive education background, with degrees in psychology, education, and educational administration.  Most recently Mr. Makino was a case worker with the Fatherhood Services of The Salvation Army's Family Treatment Services.  In this role, he was responsible for providing services to fathers including classes for new fathers, educational and vocational counseling, domestic violence prevention training, job search assistance, relapse prevention, and assistance with entering substance abuse treatment programs.  Mr. Makino has also worked as The Salvation Army's prison liaison and counseled men incarcerated in Oahu's corrections facilities.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Makino's education and counseling background, experience working with fathers, and previous position with a state board support his re-appointment to the Commission on Fatherhood.  He brings over thirty years of dedicated public service and experience, along with demonstrated leadership and integrity, to the Commission.  Mr. Makino indicated in his personal statement that during his current term serving on the Commission he has helped the Commission broaden its vision and formulate a strategic plan.  Going forward, he hopes to see the initiatives he has started come to fruition.

 

     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