Senate confirms Ryan Yamane as director of Department of Human Services, 22-1
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Summary
The Hawaii Senate confirmed Ryan Yamane as director of the Department of Human Services after multiple senators spoke in support; the vote was 22 in favor, 1 opposed. Forrest Wells was also acknowledged after his approval to the State Council on Mental Health.
The Hawaii Senate confirmed Ryan Yamane as director of the Department of Human Services by a 22-1 vote after members of the chamber spoke in support of his nomination.
Senators who spoke during consideration cited Yamane’s years of public service, prior legislative experience, and work with disaster mental-health response. Senator San Buenaventura introduced Yamane to the Senate and described his background in voluntary crisis counseling and legislative work; several other senators—including Senator Fevella, Senator Aquino, Senator Elefante, Senator DeCoite, Senator Kidani and Senator Kim—rose to offer praise and express support before the confirmation vote.
The nut of the debate was Yamane’s record of hands‑on work and management experience. Speakers noted his prior legislative roles, his work with the Red Cross as an advanced disaster mental health volunteer and his academic background, which the introducer said includes both social work and executive/business training. Supporters told colleagues they were confident Yamane could lead DHS, a department frequently described in the floor remarks as large and heavily reliant on federal funding.
The confirmation was not unanimous. Senator Awa recorded a series of “no” votes on governor’s nominees earlier in the session and was the lone recorded no on Yamane’s confirmation. After the announced tally, the chair declared Yamane confirmed and invited the new director and his family to the chamber for recognition and photographs.
Separately noted during the session, Forrest Wells was acknowledged as having been approved to serve on the State Council on Mental Health and was present in the gallery; Senator San Buenaventura asked the Senate to recognize him.
Details from the floor record - Motion/confirmation: Ryan Yamane, nominee for Director, Department of Human Services — outcome: confirmed (22 ayes, 1 no). The transcript records multiple senators offering oral support prior to the vote. - Related appointment: Forrest Wells — acknowledged as having been approved to the State Council on Mental Health and introduced to the Senate gallery.
Context and next steps Yamane will lead the Department of Human Services, which senators characterized during the floor discussion as the state’s largest agency with significant federal funding dependencies. The Senate did not attach additional conditions on the confirmation according to the floor record; the newly confirmed director was invited to the chamber floor for photographs and congratulations following the vote.
Speakers on record in the transcript included Senator San Buenaventura (introducer), Senator Fevella, Senator Aquino, Senator Elefante, Senator DeCoite, Senator Kidani, Senator Kim, Senator Wakai, and Senator Awa.
