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Committee advances confirmation of Dr. Masahiko Kobayashi as medical examiner; nominee outlines accreditation and modernization goals
Summary
The committee reported out for adoption the nomination of Dr. Masahiko Kobayashi as the City and County of Honolulu medical examiner. Kobayashi told the committee he will pursue National Association of Medical Examiners accreditation, modernize operations and expand the mass-fatality plan.
The Committee on Public Safety and Customer Services reported out for adoption the nomination of Masahiko Kobayashi, MD, as medical examiner of the City and County of Honolulu after a public hearing and discussion of the office’s operational priorities.
Dr. Kobayashi summarized his record and goals: among them he said he plans to seek accreditation from the National Association of Medical Examiners, modernize operations, expand the department’s mass-fatality plan and address long-standing staffing shortages in forensic pathology. He said accreditation will indicate the office is “operating in accordance with national standards” and that recent steps clearing backlogs and facility improvements have positioned the office to apply for accreditation in the coming years.
Council members praised the nominee’s work and asked about staffing and backlog reduction. Kobayashi said the office has recently reduced report backlogs and that he is actively recruiting for vacant forensic pathologist positions. He said he hopes accreditation will help attract applicants and described additions made during the pandemic, including mortuary trailers acquired for mass-fatality storage.
The committee had no objections and the chair recommended the nomination be reported out for adoption.
