STAND. COM. REP. NO. 979

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 525, 663

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 525 and 663, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation

 

G.M. No. 525

PETER HAMASAKI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024; and

 

G.M. No. 663

LANI EWART,

for a term to expire 06-30-2025,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Peter Hamasaki and Lani Ewart for service on the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation.

 

PETER HAMASAKI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Peter Hamasaki from the Department of the Attorney General and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Hamasaki's background, experience, and commitment to public service qualify him for consideration for reappointment to the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Hamasaki is licensed to practice law in the State and has regularly attended and participated in the annual meetings of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and the National Conference's committee meetings.  Mr. Hamasaki has served as a member of numerous National Conference committees, including the National Conference's Drafting Committee on Registered Agents and Annual Filing Requirements Act and the Drafting Committee to Revise the Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, among many others.  Your Committee further notes that the National Conference's committee appointments are selectively made by the President of the National Conference and not all members have the privilege of serving on a Committee.  In addition to attending meetings of the National Conference, Mr. Hamasaki has regularly participated in meetings and activities of the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation by providing information to interested organizations and officials of the Executive Branch and providing testimony to legislative committees during hearings on bills to enact new or revised uniform laws. 

 

LANI EWART

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Lani Ewart from the Department of the Attorney General and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Ewart's background, experience, and commitment to public service qualify her for consideration for reappointment to the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Ewart is licensed to practice law in the State, and has served on the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation continuously since 1977.  She currently serves as Chairperson of the Commission, and has regularly attended and actively participated in the Commission's meetings.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Ewart was elected to Life Membership in the National Conference in 1998.  To become a Life Member, a commissioner is required to serve the National Conference in the voluntary drafting and review of uniform laws for at least twenty years, must be recommended by the National Conference's Executive Committee, and must be elected by an affirmative vote of two‑thirds of the commissioners present and voting at the session in which the recommendation is made.  Your Committee additionally finds that Ms. Ewart was the first woman commissioner to be elected to Life Membership in the then 106-year history of the National Conference.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Ewart has served on numerous National Conference Committees during her service as a commissioner, and has been instrumental in the activities of the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair