Senate Labor & Technology committee confirms multiple gubernatorial nominees, including ERS trustee and workforce council members

The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology confirmed a slate of gubernatorial nominees at a March 7 hearing in Conference Room 224 at the State Capitol. In a single decision-making sequence the committee adopted recommendations to advise and consent for multiple governor’s messages covering appointments to state boards and advisory bodies.

Key confirmations included: - Kelly Oeoka, nominated to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC), term to expire June 30, 2028. The committee adopted the recommendation to advise and consent for GM 660; Chair Aquino, Senator Ihara and Senator Moriwaki recorded “aye” votes during the decision on this item. - Fonokalafi (Fono) Meci, nominated to the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board, term to expire June 30, 2028 (GM 529). Committee recommendation: advise and consent (adopted). - Ken Louie, reappointment to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council (GM 502). Committee recommendation: advise and consent (adopted). - Jared Higashi, nomination(s) to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council covering two related messages (GM 581 and GM 690) for staggered terms; committee recommendation: advise and consent for both messages (adopted). - Eric Nocchi (recorded in transcript variously as “Eric Nocchi/Nucci/Noguchi”), nominated to the board of trustees of the Deferred Compensation Plan (GM 571). Committee recommendation: advise and consent (adopted). Transcript contains name variants; committee adopted recommendation. - Tai Nohara, nominated to the Deferred Compensation Plan board (GM 667); committee recommendation: advise and consent (adopted). - David Louie, nominated to the Employees’ Retirement System board (term to Jan. 1, 2030; GM 560). Numerous elected…