Senate Health and Human Services Committee advises and consents to slate of gubernatorial nominees

The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services at its 1 p.m. online hearing advised and consented to a slate of gubernatorial nominees to state advisory bodies and health boards, voting to approve each Governor's Message presented.

The votes filled seats on panels that advise state policy on substance use, developmental disabilities and the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC), among others. Committee members recorded no recorded objections during the roll calls and the chair declared each recommendation adopted.

The panel advanced several reappointments to the Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances. Emily Andrade, nominated in GM 544 for a term expiring June 30, 2028, spoke briefly and said she stood on her written testimony. "My name is Emily Andrade. I'm excited for this opportunity. I stand on my written testimony and happy to take any questions," Andrade said. John Valera, administrator of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division at the Department of Health, told the committee the department stood in strong support of Andrade's reappointment, saying it supported "her reappointment to [the commission]."

The committee also advised and consented to the nomination listed as GM 545 (listed in the hearing as "Illinois Kavijia Kawahikawa"/variants in the transcript) for the same advisory commission; the Department of Health submitted written answers and stated support. Joanna Reddy (GM 547), likewise, was recommended for the commission and supported by the department; committee members noted Reddy had submitted answers to written questions when she was not present on Zoom.

Appointments to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities were also approved. Hoopio Kalani Ballas (GM 603), who spoke to the committee, described himself as having a developmental disability and said he wanted to ensure people with developmental disabilities “are not just given the supports they need, but to be treated equally.” The council and self-advocacy groups testified in strong support of his reappointment. Joshua Goetz (GM 605) was approved after the committee noted he had provided written answers, although he was not present to speak at the hearing.

The committee considered multiple nominations for the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation's board. Lisa Vance (GM 699) described herself as focused on rural health and access to services and multiple regional health leaders and associations spoke in support. Leslie Kai Kimura (GM 700) also testified and the committee noted her engagement in East Hawaii community health work.

Other confirmed nominees included Mark Augustine to the Commission on Fatherhood (GM 716), Barbara Service to the Policy Advisory Board on Elder Affairs (GM 734), Karen Glasser to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (GM 758) and Leona Sam McDermott to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (GM 760). Many supporters from organizations including the Hawaii Self Advocacy Advisory Council, Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition and regional HHSC representatives submitted written testimony or spoke in support during the hearing.

Votes at a glance

- GM 544 — Emily Andrade, Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances (term to expire 06/30/2028): Recommendation to advise and consent adopted (tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain) — Chair called for vote; Senator Troy Hashimoto, Senator Keohokalole and Senator Fevella recorded aloud votes of "aye"; committee declared recommendation adopted.

- GM 545 — (transcript: Illinois Kavijia/Kawahikawa), Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances (term to expire 06/30/2028): Recommendation adopted (tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

- GM 547 — Joanna Reddy, Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances (term to expire 06/30/2028): Recommendation adopted (tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

- GM 603 — Hoopio Kalani Ballas, State Council on Developmental Disabilities: Recommendation adopted (tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

- GM 605 — Joshua Goetz, State Council on Developmental Disabilities: Recommendation adopted (tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain). Committee noted Goetz had provided answers to committee questions though he was not present.

- GM 699 — Lisa Vance, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation board of directors: Recommendation adopted (tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

- GM 700 — Leslie Kai Kimura, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation board of directors: Recommendation adopted (tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

- GM 716 — Mark Augustine, Commission on Fatherhood: Recommendation adopted (tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

- GM 734 — Barbara Service, Policy Advisory Board on Elder Affairs: Recommendation adopted (tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

- GM 758 — Karen Glasser, State Council on Developmental Disabilities: Recommendation adopted (tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

- GM 760 — Leona Sam McDermott, State Council on Developmental Disabilities: Recommendation adopted (tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

What the committee recorded

Committee members repeatedly noted nominees had provided written testimony and, where nominees were not present on Zoom, their written answers to committee questions were posted on the legislature's website and accepted. Department of Health staff repeatedly said the agency stood in strong support of several nominees for the drug-abuse commission. Several organizational supporters — including the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Self Advocacy Advisory Council and regional HHSC representatives — provided in-person or written endorsements.

Chair's procedural notes and adjournment

At the start the chair reminded participants the hearing was being streamed on YouTube and explained technical procedures for Zoom witnesses, including muting and video rules and the plan to reconvene in Room 225 at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 if the hearing ended early due to technical problems. The chair closed the hearing by congratulating the nominees and adjourning the committee.