GM 612: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Gubernatorial Nominee, SIERRA WHITESIDE, for a term to expire 06-30-2028.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1863

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 604, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 604, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, and 612, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

State Council on Developmental Disabilities

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Cynthia Fowler, Brandi-Lynn Hyden, Joshua Ige, Alysha Kim, Raymond Mamea, Maria Cristina Valenzuela, Eden Watabayashi, and Sierra Whiteside for service on the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

CYNTHIA FOWLER

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Cynthia Fowler from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory Council.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Fowler's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify her to be appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities as a member who is from the County of Kauai and a parent of an individual with a developmental disability.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Fowler is a parent to a daughter with tuberous sclerosis complex that has led to severe intellectual and developmental disabilities and has served on the national Board of Directors for the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Alliance as the National Chair for Outreach.  Ms. Fowler is currently the Regional Coordinator for the Hawaii Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, where she provides education, support, and outreach to communities across the island of Kauai.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Fowler's background is in physical therapy, including serving as a physical therapist assistant for the Department of Education on Kauai, providing physical therapy services for students with disabilities.  Ms. Fowler was also a school paraprofessional at Bayada Home Care, where she provided behavioral services for students with autistic spectrum disorders in a public-school setting.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Fowler has been serving as an interim member of the Council and her extensive career and lived experience supporting and caring for individuals with developmental disabilities will continue to be great assets to the Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Cynthia Fowler be appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

BRANDI-LYNN HYDEN

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Brandi-Lynn Hyden from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory Council.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Hyden's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify her to be appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities as a member who is a parent of an individual with a developmental disability.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Hyden, as a parent to two children with developmental disabilities, has experience navigating the social education system, accessing disability services, and addressing systemic barriers, which has given her firsthand knowledge of the challenges many individuals and families with developmental disabilities face.  Ms. Hyden is currently the Thompson Extension Academy Program Director and a Summer School Director at the Myron B. Thompson Academy, where she works with families of students who have developmental disabilities, ensuring they receive the accommodations they need to succeed.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Hyden has policy advocacy experience serving as the founder and Executive Director of Infinite Reach (ʻApoākea), a nonprofit corporation focused on community-based initiatives and policy advocacy.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Hyden has served as an interim member of the Council and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Brandi-Lynn Hyden be appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

JOSHUA IGE

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Joshua Ige from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory Council.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Ige's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify him for appointment to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities as a member who is from the County of Maui (Lanai) and an individual with a developmental disability.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Ige is a self-advocate who chairs the Lanai Chapter of the Hawaii Self‑Advocacy Advisory Council, where he provides leadership and is a role model for other self-advocates by participating in committees and community activities.  Your Committee further notes Mr. Ige is an active community member at Lanai Baptist Church, where he serves as a board member and volunteers as a bible school helper and breakfast chef and helps with the Community Christmas Luncheon.  During the course of Mr. Ige's career, he has gained firsthand knowledge about the challenges many individuals with developmental disabilities face and his experience will enhance the effectiveness of the Council.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Ige has previously served as a member of the Council and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Joshua Ige be appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

ALYSHA KIM

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Alysha Kim from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory Council.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Kim's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify her to be appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities as a member who is from the Department of Education, fulfilling the federal requirement for representation of a state entity that administers funds provided under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Kim has over sixteen years of experience empowering individuals with developmental disabilities by providing applied behavior analysis services to individuals with autistic spectrum disorders in home, community, and school settings, and in leadership roles.  Ms. Kim is currently the Administrator for the Department of Education's Intensive Program Support Section, where she leads and manages the provision of statewide policy, professional development, and technical assistance to schools and other stakeholders in various program areas, including autistic spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities.  Previously at the Department of Education, Ms. Kim was an education specialist, managing and allocating funds and positions that support students with autistic spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities who require applied behavior analysis services.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Kim has been serving as an interim member of the Council and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Alysha Kim be appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

RAYMOND MAMEA

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Raymond Mamea from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory Council, and one individual.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Mamea's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify him to be appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities as a member who is an individual with a developmental disability.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Mamea is a strong self-advocate who is an active member of the Self-Advocacy Advisory Council, where he strives to encourage others to speak up for themselves and to inform other individuals with a disability of the many support resources available to them in the State.  Your Committee further notes Mr. Mamea is an active community member, volunteering at the Wahiawa General Hospital and the First Assembly of God Church, where he serves food to homeless individuals through the Food for Friends Program.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Mamea's experience has given him firsthand knowledge of the challenges many individuals with developmental disabilities face, which will enhance the effectiveness of the Council.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Mamea has been serving as an interim member of the Council and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Raymond Mamea be appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities based on his knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

MARIA CRISTINA VALENZUELA

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Maria Cristina Valenzuela from the Department of Health, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory Council, and Hawaiʻi Family Caregiver Coalition.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Valenzuela's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify her to be appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities as a member who is from the Executive Office on Aging, fulfilling the federal requirement for representation of a state entity that administers funds provided under the federal Older Americans Act of 1965.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Valenzuela has over fifteen years of experience planning, developing, and implementing policies and programs that strengthen the lives and communities of individuals and families in the State.  Ms. Valenzuela is currently a legal services developer at the Executive Office on Aging, where she supports the design and implementation of a statewide, legal advocacy system to meet the legal assistance needs of older individuals, including ensuring that legal assistance programs and contracts comply with the Older Americans Act of 1965 and state regulations.  Previously at the Department of Health, Ms. Valenzuela was a human services professional, supporting the Developmental Disabilities Division's neurotrauma activities through program planning, development, and evaluation of the State's systems of services for neurotrauma survivors and their families.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Valenzuela has been serving as an interim member of the Council and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Maria Cristina Valenzuela be appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

EDEN WATABAYASHI

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Eden Watabayashi from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory Council.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Watabayashi's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify her to be appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities as a member who is from the Family Health Services Division of the Department of Health, fulfilling the federal requirement for representation of a state entity that administers funds provided under Title V of the Social Security Act relating to maternal child health.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Valenzuela has over twenty years of experience serving the Department of Health, developing and improving the services and support systems that serve individuals with special needs.  Ms. Watabayashi is currently a human services professional for the Family Health Services Division of the Department of Health and assists in developing, evaluating, and implementing programs for the Children with Special Health Needs Branch and the Children and Youth with Special Health Needs Section.  Previously at the Department of Health, Ms. Watabayashi was a human services professional social worker, and case manager, for the Developmental Disabilities Division, where she was able to directly interact, understand, and learn from individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.  Your Committee further notes that Ms. Watabayashi has been serving as an interim member of the Council and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Eden Watabayashi be appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

SIERRA WHITESIDE

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Sierra Whiteside from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory Council.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Whiteside's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify her for appointment to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities as a member who is from the County of Hawaiʻi and an individual with a developmental disability.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Whiteside is a strong self-advocate who is an active member of the Self-Advocacy Advisory Council, where she is a role model for other self-advocates and encourages them to advocate for themselves and others.  Your Committee further notes Ms. Whiteside is an active community member through her consistent participation in the Special Olympics Hawaii as an athlete, member of the Athlete Leadership Council, and torch runner.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Whiteside's experience has given her firsthand knowledge of the challenges many individuals with developmental disabilities face, which will enhance the effectiveness of the Council.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Whiteside has been serving as Chair of the Council as an interim member and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Sierra Whiteside be appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities based on her knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services 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 Health and Human Services,