GM 614: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Enhanced 911 Board, Gubernatorial Nominee, REED MAHUNA, for a term to expire 06-30-2028.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1964

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 505, 614, 661, 662, 664

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 505, 614, 661, 662, and 664, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Enhanced 911 Board

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Matthew Kurihara, Reed Mahuna, Rebecca Lieberman, Elliott Ke, and Francis Alueta for service on the 911 Board.

MATTHEW KURIHARA

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Matthew Kurihara from two individuals.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Captain Kurihara's professional background and dedication to serving the public qualify him for appointment to the 911 Board as a representative of the Oahu public safety answering point.  Captain Kurihara has served the community as a member of the Honolulu Police Department for nearly twenty years, developing leadership skills and extensive knowledge of the operations and obstacles of the State's public emergency communication systems.  He has served as a Captain since 2022.  In this role, he has been assigned to the Department's Communications Division, where he oversees operations for Oahu's primary public safety answering point and participates in 911 Board meetings as a liaison.  As the Executive Officer of the Communications Division, Captain Kurihara manages over one hundred and twenty-five employees, creates division policies, and coordinates with other divisions and agencies.  Captain Kurihara remains involved in the local community through his participation in the Selection Committee for the Hawaii Law Enforcement Credit Union and he has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Matthew Kurihara be appointed to the 911 Board based on his background, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

REED MAHUNA

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Reed Mahuna from one member of the House of Representatives, Hawaii High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaii, one member of the Hawaii County Council, Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency, and fourteen individuals.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Deputy Chief Mahuna's professional background and desire to serve the community qualify him for reappointment to the 911 Board as a representative of the Hawaii public safety answering point.  Your Committee notes that Deputy Chief Mahuna has been with the Hawaii Police Department for over twenty-seven years and is currently the Deputy Police Chief.  He previously worked as the Police Major of the Technical Services Division, directly overseeing the Department's public safety answering point.  In this role, Deputy Chief Mahuna became familiar with the operations and challenges of public emergency communications systems.  Testifiers in support of his nomination universally speak highly of his professionalism, integrity, and leadership skills.  Your Committee further finds that Deputy Chief Mahuna has served on the 911 Board since his appointment in April 2023 and therefore possesses a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members, which will enhance the effectiveness of the 911 Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Reed Mahuna be reappointed to the 911 Board based on his background, knowledge, and desire to serve the public.

REBECCA LIEBERMAN

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Rebecca Lieberman from Spectrum and six individuals.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Lieberman's professional background and familiarity with telecommunications policy qualify her for reappointment to the 911 Board as a representative from a communications service company that offers Interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol services.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Lieberman currently serves as the Director of State Government Affairs for Charter Communications.  In this capacity, she has been involved in legislative and regulatory matters affecting broadband and telecommunications infrastructure in the State.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Lieberman previously held positions at private nonprofit organizations involving public policy research and external affairs.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Lieberman was first appointed to the 911 Board in 2022 and has since participated in advisory discussions related to policy development.  As Chair of the 911 Board's Advisory Committee, she has contributed to the review of legislative proposals and administrative procedures relevant to the Board's mission.

     Your Committee acknowledges the importance of maintaining a transparent and balanced approach when evaluating nominees who are also engaged in advocacy work in their professional capacity.  While the technical expertise Ms. Lieberman derives from her professional background will continue to be an asset to the Board, it is critical that her private work in public policy advocacy does not influence the Board's activities or the integrity of its decision-making.  In her written statement to your Committee, Ms. Lieberman acknowledged the potential for conflicts to arise between the interests of her employer and Board decisions and fully committed to upholding ethical standards and recusing herself as necessary to prioritize the best interests of public safety, transparency, and fairness.  Accordingly, your Committee recommends that Rebecca Lieberman be reappointed to the 911 Board based on her relevant experience and prior service.

ELLIOTT KE

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Elliott Ke from two individuals.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Assistant Chief Ke's experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service qualify him for reappointment to the 911 Board as a representative of the Kauai public safety answering point.  Your Committee notes that Assistant Chief Ke was promoted to Assistant Chief of the Police Operations Bureau of the Kauai Police Department in 2020 and he has over twenty-five years of experience in law enforcement.  In this role, Assistant Chief Ke manages and coordinates administrative and operational functions of the Bureau, including oversight of the Police Administration's Communications Center, which includes the Department's public safety answering point.  Assistant Chief Ke demonstrated his leadership and problem-solving skills by collaborating with the Police Union and KPD Executive Leadership to transition the Field Operations Division to twelve-hour shift schedules, which increased available staffing and facilitated promotions and internal development.  Your Committee further notes that Assistant Chief Ke has served with the 911 Board since 2020, including two years as Chairperson of the Board, and thus possesses valuable institutional knowledge of the Board's operations.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Elliott Ke be reappointed to the 911 Board based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

FRANCIS ALUETA

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Francis Alueta from Hawaiian Telcom and six individuals.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Alueta's experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service qualify him for appointment to the 911 Board as a representative of the public utility providing telecommunications services and land line 911 services pursuant to section 269-16.95, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Alueta is currently the Director III of Technology, Engineering, and Operations for Hawaiian Telcom.  As Director, Mr. Alueta leads a team responsible for the architecture, engineering, and tiers two and three support of the company's Next Generation 911 network and related services.  Mr. Alueta has over thirty years of experience in the telecommunications and technology sector and previously served as Hawaiian Telcom's Director I and II of Network Reliability.  He earned a Master of Science degree in Telecommunication Management at the Stevens Institute of Technology.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Alueta previously served on the 911 Board and therefore possesses a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of board members.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Francis Alueta be appointed to the 911 Board based on his experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations 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 Government Operations,