Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services

Calling the Health and human services Committee, one o' clock hearing room 225 on March 2nd. We are here for GM's governor's messages on nominations for various boards and commissions. With me is my vVce Chair, Senator McKelvey and hopefully we'll have other Senators soon. This hearing is being streamed live on YouTube.

In the event that we may have technical difficulties, we will be rescheduling it on March 6th at 1pm room 225 for those matters. For those GMs we are unable to hear today for various reasons.

We also have the ability to go on YouTube and in the unlikely, I mean, we apologize if we do not pronounce your names or it's not transcribed correctly. We will do our best. And with that we have GM533, Laura Mallery-Sayre for the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee. Laura, are you available on Zoom?

I am, but my video has been shut off. So I need to have your technician open my video, please.

Okay, it can you turn on Laura's video?

We'll do chair asking them now.

There we go. Good morning.

Good morning. And thank you very much for applying and being nominated for the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee. And we have all of your answers to our questionnaire as well as a substantial resume.

And I'd like the Committee to know that I personally know Laura Mallory Sayers huge work on the late Sayer foundation and her immense ability and her heart in order to continue ensuring that our medical services, that the fire Department has the equipment needed.

But with that, Laura, why do you want to work, why do you want to be in the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee?

Well, I'm very excited. This would be my first gubernatorial nomination and I've been wanting to work with the state for some time and seeing what we could do to be of help. I have 28 years of working with emergency personnel on the Big island and over two now with the Maui Fire Department.

I have five trucks coming in just this week and one of the reasons I couldn't be there in person. So we have two big dogs coming from Maui and we have three ocean safety trucks coming for the Big island. We have altogether 29 trucks that we have been able to purchase.

Jet skis, rescue boats, hangers, you know, it's just I have a vast amount of experience with dealing with EMS equipment. Three Lucas chest compressors for the engine trucks here on the Big island where the ambulances cannot get there in an immediate amount of time.

I'm excited about the opportunity to serve the state as well as the Counties in my capacity as an, for this foundation, but more importantly as an individual. I'm a dental hygienist by profession, and we know that, you know, the body is really important to keep alive, and that's why we do what Frank and I do in dentistry.

I'm, I'm wanting to save lives. You know, this is my passion. That's my mission for the foundation. And anything that I can do to assist Chief Hall in his efforts with the Emergency Advisory Committee, I'm willing to do. And I have a great connection with all of you.

Joy, as you mentioned, you know, I'm very close with my Senators and representatives and my council people here on the Big Island. And now I'm developing relationships on Maui as well. We just got Lifelight Network to partnership with us for the first time in the history of our island.

We actually have critical care transport from our island to Oahu to provide critical care to people who normally would not make it on this island because of the lack of expertise. We're excited about that. And, you know, I want to see more ambulances on the Big Island. We need them here.

We're unlike any other island in the state, and I, I want to make sure that we're able to, to meet those needs. Plus, the statutes, rules, regulations haven't been looked at for 40 years. I mean, it's 1984 was the last time any changes were made.

And we need to update these rules, regulations and statutes to, to be current with the times and the technology. I also am very familiar with the procurement process and how that has been onerous for the counties and the state to get the equipment they need in a timely fashion.

So I want to work with Chief hall on those problems as well. And I just, I'm excited about serving. I, this would be a really amazing opportunity for me to share my expertise and hopefully make a difference not just for our counties, but for our entire state.

Thank you so much, Laura. And I, I know the Big island has really benefited from Un Frank's services, and it's good to know that you're also allowing your generosity and your expertise to extend to Maui. So with HHSC basic, I mean, not hhsc with the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

You folks are the, are in the position to create policy throughout the entire state and your experience with a Big island.

And as you know, before you got the foundation, the lack of resources that were there and the limited resources, and now the challenge that's happening in Maui and probably the rest of state, you have the ability to lend your expertise to shape that policy. So I do appreciate your willing to serve. Thank you.

Do you have any questions? No.

I agree with you 100%.

Okay. We're not going to do DM right now because we don't have quorum, so we're going to move on. Laura.

Okay, thank you so much. Should I leave the meeting now?

It's up to you. How does this work with Zoom as far as. No. Okay. So, yes, you can leave it now, and then we'll let you know what happens.

Okay, thanks so much. Everybody is in support. So did you want to do DM immediately after you tested?

We cannot. We have. No, I can have Senator. No, we'll finish it off. Okay, thank you.

Thank you guys so much. Appreciate it.

Bye bye. Okay, next we have State Rehabilitation Council Cynthia Mewup for consideration. Cynthia Mew, are you present on Zoom?

Yes, I am.

Okay, please proceed. Let us know why you want to be in the State Rehabilitation Council.

I've actually been doing the job on a temporary basis for the last two years. I have 44 years with the Department of Education, and in the last three years, I been working with DVR on trying to find jobs for our students with the most significant disabilities.

Yeah. Thank you very much. Thank you for willing to step up in the interim. And it does look like you have the capacity and the experience to do to help out with your special education resource education teacher, as well as your current experience with the State Rehab Council.

So you know that we really need people like you to help us shape policy. Right. So thank you very much. Any questions, Senator McKelvey?

No, I'm good.

Okay, moving on. Next we have Amanda Luning for State Council on Developmental Disabilities. Amanda, come on up. Excuse me, Lynn, I need to call you later. Sorry. Come on up. So, Amanda, I see that you work with Hawaii FASD Action Group in Kaneohe.

Why don't you let us know why you want to be in the State Rehabilitation State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

I'm a Hawaii kid, I'm a local kid, and I've worked in a lot of different spaces, kind of birth to death in the sense that I've had a lot of experience. I'm a marriage and family therapist by training in relationship to kind of a keiki to kupuna concept and multi generational things.

And when we think about developmental disabilities, I think a lot of times it's sort of framed from a pretty limited way of understanding it. And I kind of hope to be able to expand a little bit.

What we mean when we're talking about developmental disabilities, not just in relationship to, let's say, regulation, but also the family support element and the way in which people, when we get the right kind of care and the right kind of support earlier and sooner, that ultimately that really helps everybody a lot.

And I know that from my worked experience and my lived experience. And I just hope to be able to bring some curious questions and connect some dots in a different way.

Okay, thank you very much. So, as you heard previously, volunteers such as yourselves in various committees help us shape policy in the state. And so we rely upon people with lived experience. With the kind of experience that you do have. Do you have any questions?

What do you see as the biggest challenge in front of this commission next year, in front of the DDC community that you might be able to effectuate?

I think, really the way that we identify what early supports look like. Because we've had historically some really significant limitations around the way that we identify folks who need things like care and support.

And so not only kind of really looking at what that means, but then also understanding that we pay at some point, either we pay now or we pay later. And if we understand that earlier intervention, earlier identification, earlier support ultimately reduces complex comorbidity, reduces cost to all of our systems.

I'm a preschool teacher, really, in my heart, right? And that's where I saw when kids were not getting what they needed sooner. And then I went to working with the prison and adults and rehabilitation and all these kinds of things. As a mental health clinician, as a trauma clinician, I'm like, we can do better sooner.

I just really think that when we identify what people need sooner, that I'm a Prevention person. And ultimately, we know, we know Upstream is less expensive. We know it's better for families. We know it's better for overall people's ability to do well.

And so I think, really looking at how we identify what people need to do sooner who may be struggling with developmental disabilities that we historically have not, are going to be some things that we need to look at and identifying

the developmental disabilities sooner. Sooner.

Absolutely.

Okay, thank you very much. Thank you, Chair. Appreciate it. Okay, thank you very much. Thanks, Kaiser. Okay. Okay. Moving on. We have. And, you know, for all of these nominees, we have had no opposition testimony. And I should have mentioned earlier for, for Laura Sayer, GM533.

We had Hawaii County Council in support, Holeka Inaba, James Eustace in support, Sarah Medeiros and support, Kelly Wall and support Kelly Flair in support, Diane Quiddickwit and support. Support. Ian Chadwick in support. And of course, Dr. Se. Tina Cluthier in support. Claudia Graham in support. And Mary Andrews in support. And.

Marilyn Matsunaga of EMS Advisory Committee in support. But Quiticuit in support. And Michael Shattuck in support. Linda Rosen in support. And Mariko Sakita in support. David Okita, he's a Big Island helicopter, has had to rescue a number of people. Also in support, Dr. Graham Dorie Ingalls in support. And Jesse Eversole, firefighter in support for State Rehab Council.

For Cynthia Mew, we had. Department of Human Services and support. And that's it. And for Amanda Luning, we have. We also have Lewis Urchuk, Hawaii Disability Rights Center in support. And that's it, but no opposition. Next we have GM711. Marisa Celeste of State Council on Mental Health. Come on up.

Good afternoon.

So why is it that you want to be in the State Council on Mental Health?

I feel that I can bring the voices of other people with lived experience to the table. And also the certified peer specialists have their voices be heard as well. Often goes unheard.

And I appreciate all the volunteer work you did, but a lot of it was in California.

Yes.

When did you move here to Hawaii?

2020. Okay. And I've been part of the Hawaii Clubhouse Coalition of Advocacy.

Okay. So that wasn't in here because a lot of this, your. Your resume kind of ended in California and I didn't see anything in Hawaii. So. Clubhouse. Which clubhouse?

Diamond Head Clubhouse.

Okay, well, I like the clubhouses. Yeah. I think. I think they do a really good job of. Of giving support to those who are. Yes. Who need support and who are mentally ill.

Yes, I enjoy going to the clubhouse.

Okay. So I also see. So do you expect to do the kind of volume. Well, this is a volunteer work. So do you expect to use your experience in California, it looks like mostly Southern California.

Yes.

Yeah. Louisiana.

Los Angeles county apart San Fernando Valley.

zero. Well. So why did you move back? Why did you move here?

I had to get away from an abusive situation. zero. So if there was a good place to come running to Hawaii was a good far enough away place that they wouldn't come looking for me.

Okay. And. Okay. Do you have any questions of Marisa? Okay, moving on. Hannah. Thank you. Thank you very much. Hannah Preston, PITA Statewide Health Coordinating Council. And I would like to discuss close the Committee. I also know Dr. Hannah Preston-Pita. Okay, I'm sorry, I. I thought I did. Sorry. Hannah Preston-Pita. Are you present on Zoom?

Yes, I am. And I Cannot release. Oh, there it is. My camera's on. Okay. Hi, Senator. Hi, everyone. Aloha.

Okay, so, Hannah, why don't you tell us why it is you want to be in the state health planning? Is it state? Is it SHPDA? Yeah, it is. Statewide health coordinating. Okay, well, thanks for the opportunity.

Thank you so much. I'm honored to appear before all of you today in support of my nomination again, so this would be a continuation of my term. I have served. I seek to serve because I care deeply about our healthcare systems.

I want to make sure that I am the voice for Hawaii island or Moku Keawe, especially in rural underserved areas, which is what I like to do. On Hawaii island, we really feel the real time consequences of workforce shortages, delayed infrastructure.

And I know I'm talking to someone who really knows about that too as well, and the fragmented behavioral health care systems. And I'm hoping that my experience as a leader on this island, providing full continuum of care for substance use and mental health services, will be the voice for people that I serve.

I bring about 15 years of Executive leadership experience, navigating licensure, accreditation, all the fun stuff, managing state and federal funding, building facilities and opening up the first and only detox center on Hawaii Island. So if.

If I'm confirmed, I will approach this role, as always, with integrity, data, informed decision making and commitment to ensuring that Hawaii Islands voices are included in statewide planning conversations. Mahalo.

Okay, thank you, Hannah. Also in support is Sherry Lynn, Brian Baker of Hina Mauka, Heather Lusk of Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction center and Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition also in Support, and SHPDA Dr. Lewin in support.

Chair, San Buenaventura. Vice Chair McKelvey. Members, honorable Members. Yes. Hannah is a great advisory Member for us. I mean, she has a doctorate in education. She's a licensed clinical psychologist. She's an activist supporter. She's also the CEO of the Big Island Substance Abuse Council.

So she serves a lot of really interesting connections and roles for us and offers a lot of insights and advice. And we, we highly value her participation with SHPDA Advisory Council. So thank you very much.

Okay, thank you very much. Anybody else wishing to testify on Hannah? GM557. Seeing none. Moving on. Cynthia Mew. I apologize for bypassing you. GM569, State Rehabilitation Council. Cynthia, are you present on Zoom? Cynthia?

Present. Chair. But I believe they've already spoken.

They already spoke. Yeah. That's what I thought. I thought.

She's a Doe person from 40 years experience.

Thank you. I got a note saying that she didn't speak. Thank you. Hi, Cynthia. Thank you. Sorry, Cynthia. Okay, thank you very much. And. And I did say DHS stated in favor. Yes. Correct. Okay, next we have after Hannah Preston Pita. And thank you for that. Vice Chair. Okay. Joy Courtiff, GM529, HHSC Board of Board of Directors.

Joy, are you present? Please proceed.

Hi everyone.

Hey. Please proceed. Why is it that you want to be part of the board directors of HHSC?

Sure. So I am a born and raised lifelong resident of Kauai. And as a lifelong resident here on the neighbor island, I would love to serve the community in representing them on the HHSC corporate board. I hope to bring my business experience, communications expertise and my community volunteerism experience to what I can contribute on the HHSC board.

Okay. So Joy, I'm looking at your resume. Yes. And it looks like. You're mostly into PR. Correct. So why HHSC ?

So I think first and foremost HHSC just because of my. I'm a member of the community and we know here on the neighbor islands how rural healthcare can be a beautiful thing, but challenging but for PR purposes and where I can contribute the most is with communications consulting and my business experience as a business owner.

So that's how I'll contribute to the board.

Okay. For your communications experience. Yeah. Okay. It looks like Ed Chu of HHSC is and strong support. So he believes that your experience will help him in the board. And that's it. Any questions as to Joy coated public relations?

A quick question for you, Joy, from How do you see your ability as a PR person to help with messaging to rural communities about the services that HHSC does. And also to ensure that concerns and issues in the the rural communities are being channeled and responded to by the hhsc.

So in my work I do a lot of consulting for nonprofit organizations or also philanthropists. And in those roles I get to see a lot of times the need and the gaps of health care just because of our philanthropist issues in contributing to healthcare.

So I can, and then I, coming from the resident's perspective, I know what it's like to need a specialist, have to fly to Oahu, have to seek emergency services with a medevac. And so I feel like I know what our community is looking for, what they need, what they experience.

And then I can help HHSC with communicating with them in the most effective ways to all of their publics, including staff, just everyday patients and the community at large, even donors.

Okay, thank you, Chair. Okay. So frankly Joy, it doesn't look like you have any health background other than your work in the PR public relationship. So a lot of the problem with HHSC is that the state wants them to be more self sufficient. Right. And not asking the state for more and more monies. Will you be.

I'm assuming that that's the reason you got picked here is to help them with your business background because it doesn't look like you have a health background.

I'm not a healthcare professional or have a healthcare background, but I have a lot of experience as board Member with the Ohana Pacific Foundation, which does adult daycare. Several of our clients have been nonprofit organizations serving the community in health. For example, Malama Pono Health Services. HHSC was a former client of mine as well.

So I feel like I have that background and understanding of the business and the community perspective. And so I think yes, you're correct that I am brought on to help with this sort of transition and messaging. And also I bring the strategic philanthropy perspective.

So I work with a lot of donors and can help on the fundraising side as well.

Okay, that's probably why you're in it. Okay, thank you very much. Okay, next we have anybody else wishing testify on GM. Excuse me, sorry, what was it?

529. Anybody? Okay, moving on. Come on up. Ed, you. I called you. Okay, please proceed now. Now you can explain.

Good afternoon, Chair. Vice Chair. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony strong support for Joy Curtis nomination to the HHSC board. I'm Edward Chu, President and CEO for HHSC .

Since Joy was made an interim appointment by Governor Green late last year, she's been a very active participant in our corporate Board Meetings and in our Kauai regional Board Meetings and her expertise in public relations and particularly as we look to toward the future in terms of how HHSC tries to become more financially viable given the current healthcare climate, I think her business background and her strategic communications and philanthropy experience really is going to be invaluable to us as we move forward.

We are currently working on our strategic plan for the next five years. So I think her input is going to be very valuable to us. So with that, I'll stand on my written testimony. Strong support.

Okay, thank you. Anybody else wishing to testify in GM529? Okay. Seeing none. Moving on. Okay. GM538. Allen Novak for Excuse me, SHPDA. Right. Hawaii County. Okay. First up, Alan Novak, are you present?

Yes, I am.

Okay. Please proceed.

Okay. I have been an advanced practice registered nurse in the state of Hawaii for almost 50 years now. Started out on Oahu, have experience working at Hawaii State Hospital and in the outpatient clinics for the mental health division. Ran the psych unit at Castle Medical center, was called the Human services unit for seven years.

And for the past a little over 30 years I have been in Hilo and where I have my own private solo practice seeing chronic and severely mentally ill individuals. I have been able to maintain a small group of them from being hospitalized in over a decade. I am in semi retirement, so I'm not taking new patients.

I haven't taken a new patient in the past 15 years, but that's why I'm down to a small number. And I simply cannot find a way to discharge the patients I have been seeing because I am certain that they would end up in the hospital again if I did. I have been involved in various healthcare issues.

I was on the Windward Planning Council for SHPDA when I was living on Oahu. And I've been involved in a number of other issues and policy decision making groups.

And I feel like my experience in health care, as well as being able to see the overall broad picture spectrum of what needs are and as well as having the in the trenches, if you will, where the rubber hits the road, experience working with patients on a neighbor island where there is a strong shortage of providers and difficulty in accessing health care among the residents, I feel I can be helpful in terms of developing policies that address those issues.

Thank you very much. Alan Novak. Okay. In Support is SHPDA Dr. Lewin.

Good afternoon. Chair San Buenaentura and Vice Chair McKelvey. I've been very pleased to know Allen Novak during the my, my tenure as SPHDA administrator, he's offered lots of feedback to us in many ways. You know, not only is he a clinical instructor for the University of Hawaii, but he's also and the Hilo College of Pharmacy.

But as he says, he's been involved in many, many aspects in healthcare. He is one of the authors, you should know of the primary care bill that came in. He was very much involved back in trying to look for data for that. So he's very involved in healthcare. He's really responsive to the community.

He's a leader among the advanced practice nurses. He'll be a wonderful advisor to us. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Next we have Dr. Grosskutz from the Hawaii Healthcare Task Force and Support. AIPR and Mickey Miura in Support. University of Hawaii Manoa, Dr. Kelly Whitty also in support. Anybody else wishing to testify on GM538 case sing? None.

Moving on GM702 Michelle Kaʻuhane, Hawaii Planning Council, West Oahu Sub area for I believe it's Come on up, Michelle.

Aloha Kako. Just a quick correction. My last name is Kaʻuhane, not to be mistaken for Michelle Kohane, who I dearly love as well. But no worries, happens all the time. First, mahalo to Chair San Buenaventura and Vice Chair McKelvey for your time and consideration.

I really mahalo you and I am feel so honored to be here and have this opportunity to appear. Why I applied to be on the council, why I think it's I've learned over the years that having a seat at the table is important. But most of all, West Oahu is my community. It's my home.

I've raised there, still live there. I work at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. I've served there now for, gosh, over 35 years. Time flies when you're having fun, but I started there in direct patient care as a medical assistant. I have seen firsthand the social economic challenges that impact our community's health and well being.

And I also have seen how health policy, health planning decisions can make an impact. What I want to make sure of is that our community needs are etic articulated and brought to the table accurately.

And so if confirmed, I will approach this position with integrity, fairness and a commitment to ensuring thoughtful decision making and make sure that it's well informed and it truly reflects our community's needs. And so again, I'm truly grateful for this opportunity to serve and I'm happy to answer any other questions you might have.

Thank you very much. Michelle. Any questions?

Just a Quick question from the Chair. So what is do you see from your West Oahu experience is the number one issue facing your community you think SHPDA should tackle a look at or be involved in?

What I always think about is, you know, number one, arc what has bothered me over the years, some things change and some things don't. One of the things that hasn't changed is that unfortunately our communities are number one in diabetes prevalence in the state and obesity in on Oahu and obesity prevalence in the state. And that's wrong.

I know that there's no easy answer because it stems from a lot of things. We serve the highest number of native Hawaiians in West Oahu and so there's a lot of historical components that impact the health and well being of our community. So I think we need to look at it from a broad lens.

If we can't move the needle on diabetes, why is that? Well, because we know that there are health related social needs that impact a person's ability. So an individual as well as their family, their ability to stay healthy.

I really see looking at things outside of health care itself, but workforce development, economic development, bringing opportunities into our community. And so I'm hoping that I can bring kind of a bigger lens and explaining really the real life challenges that our individuals and community Members are facing

daily, especially rural health care.

Yeah, yeah. Geographically, right. I mean, we're not considered technically rural, but we really are one road in one road. Yeah. One wrote in11 wrote out. And so. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Thank you very much. Mahalo. Common theme of the western parts of the islands. Yes, Dr. Lewin. And support.

Yes, I certainly am. I thought when she said, what do we do to, you know, to help SHPDA? She would say get a younger administrator. Chair and vice chair. We recruited Chrissy to come for this job at this time.

She's kind of the heart of Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health center, but she's really an expert in IT and electronic health records.

And I saw the telehealth.

Telehealth and all sorts of technology issues. And not only are, you know, are we in need of a lot of assistance and advice with respect to the AHEAD model and other things we're doing. The Rural Health Transformation Program really needs the kind of advice that she can offer us.

So we're so grateful to have her services at this time. We think it'll be super helpful for the Waianae community, but also for other rural areas of the state where she, she will have expertise that we're going to borrow. So we're really delighted to have her.

Thank you very much.

Strong advocate yeah. For the payers to provide for telehealth services.

Okay, next we have Waianae Moku Navigators and support support. Sun Global Super Wireless Dr. Miyataki and support. Molokai Community Health Center in support. Daniel Gomes of Waianae Moku Navigators and Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center in support. Rich Bettini in support. Anybody else wishing testify on GM702 Members? Any questions? Okay, seeing none.

Moving on GM548 Radiologic Technology Board, Kevin Kaneko. Kevin, are you present on Zoom?

Yes, I am.

Okay, please proceed.

Let's see. Is that.

Oh, yes.

One second. There we go. Yeah. Hi, good afternoon Board. My name is Kevin Kaneko and I am being considered for the Rad Tech board. I was born and raised here in Hawaii, worked in the rad tech. I've been an X ray tech for about 20 years now.

A graduate from the KCC program which is the primary producer of X ray technologists in Hawaii. As a worker at Straub. I work at Straub Benioff Medical Center. I've been here for about 19 years and so, so far I've been.

I enjoyed the program so much and I was so appreciative with the education that I received that I am one of the preceptors for the KCC students that rotate through here, which I work closely with. There are changes, there are certain changes that occur that need to be addressed with the students.

And so I'm kind of like a liaison for that. I think, I feel like I'm. Because I work closely with the KCC instructors and also if I'm going to be considered for this role, I can be a good bridge between the education, the state standards and also what's required nationally.

Not nationally, I'm sorry, across the U.S. unfortunately, I believe that there's a shortage of X ray technologists in Hawaii. We've been. Many hospitals are hiring out of outer state. They're hiring travelers. Paying a lot of money for that and I think that's a real disadvantage.

But I want to make sure that rules and regulations that we follow as a state. Let me refresh that. I'm sorry. With all the student, with all the outside people coming in, we want to make sure that our standards are being met locally for our residents because we're hiring from outside.

I want to make sure that, yeah, we're not losing those standards. And with the advancement in technology coming about so quickly, I feel like the certain regulations that are currently, I guess that are current, are not up to date and they need to be reviewed, make sure that they're still following the amount of the advancements of technology.

And that's. That's where I want to. I guess that's where I want to contribute my efforts.

Thank you very much. Okay. For GM548, we have state of Hawaii Department of Health and Support.

Good afternoon. Chair and Vice Chair, Matt Carano. On behalf of Department of Health Department Health Services Division, we just want to stand on our testimony and support of Mr. Koneko. Thank you for his service. He's already been serving as an interim. Everything he said is exactly accurate.

And we're going to try hard with the board to redo our rules and stand up and get some really good people. So thank you for the consideration questions.

Okay, thank you very much. Next we have Stephen Louie in support. Chris Kojima also in support. Anybody else wishing to testify on GM548 Members. Any questions? So I do. So I like the fact that you pointed out, Kevin, that the staffing shortage is one of the issues you really want to look at.

But also, you know, we're facing AI, right. And we really, the legislator really depends upon boards and commissions to help us with policy. And that's why we look at your experience and what you can contribute for the board to help us with this. Do you think you can help us with that? I mean, with.

Especially now with AI as a sort of. I know. I don't know whether or not it'll help us with staffing shortages or what not these. I think. I think the AI.

I think the AI portion of it is more directed probably more towards the radiologists, the people who are reading the X rays. I think that's going to affect them more. I'm on. More on the side of the technologist. When patients come in, I actually do the X rays. I take the X rays of them.

I don't read them. But from my experience over the past 20 years, I kind of got the tail end of the old technology, which is the film screen technology, which is very outdated now.

It went from there to computerized, which means that rather than film being in those cassettes, it's a reusable, like white linoleum reusable type of material. But now it's. Dr.

So as soon as we take X rays, they automatically get imported and pop up on a screen and we can make adjustments and we can see if we need to repeat anything very quickly. Radiation doses have gone down a lot in order to produce good quality images, which is excellent.

But there is a slightly downside to that in that we never want to set the parameters for the exposure. We always want to try and make sure that we expose enough to produce a good quality image, which means that sometimes trending can go higher. We might be exposing patients a little bit more than what's necessary. Yes.

We don't have to repeat as much, but if we consistently start upping our parameters, the dosage in the community is going to go up. So that's what I want to avoid, things like that.

Yeah. Okay. Thank you very much. Any other questions for Kevin? Okay, moving on. GM549, Reiko Nakamoto, also for Rad Tech Board. Reiko, are you present on Zoom? Okay, please proceed. Let us know why it is you want to be on the Radiologic Technology Board.

Hi, good afternoon, Chair and Members of the Committee. My name is Reiko Nakamoto and I'm licensed radiologic technologist with certifications in radiography, mammography and breast sonography. I have over 12 years of clinical experience and have worked closely with quality assurance and regulatory compliance standards.

I'm honored to be considered for appointment of the State of Hawaii Radiologic Technology Board.

Okay, thank you very much. Okay. Also testifying for RAYCO are Department of Health and Support Chair, Vice Chair, Member

of Committee, Matt Cronigan, Department of Health, Environmental Health Services Division. Same as with our previous, Reiko has really helped us. It is an interim appointment and she is going to be so serving on the board at a time when we do need to look at our rules and our regulations like she said.

And we look forward to her board should she be confirmed available for any questions. Thank you.

Chris Kojima. Also in support, Jairus Kuniyuki and support. Stephanie Higa and support. Anybody else wishing to testify on GM549? Members any questions? So I do. So, Reiko, you have an interesting resume. Your VP of Dragon Balls Bar.

So if we have family businesses and so my mom's the owner and I help, you know, take care of the other things that, you know, help assist with her with operations and that sort of thing.

Okay, so. So you help out with the. With administrative side. What about Himuro Inc. You're also.

Yeah. So it's pretty much like four businesses that I. I help out with.

Yeah. It looks like there's also Mr. Ojisan Neo Sushi and Bar. Yeah. So you know what, Tell us what you do, what you do for it, because we. We also kind of need to know whether you have Time for this. Yeah. Because you're also a raging up. Yeah.

You're doing all of that, plus you are the VP, which seems to be pretty high among of these four businesses, right?

Yes. So for. I started off as being a dishwasher. You know, of course, it's my. My mom's business, so I had to, you know, go into different types of. And understand how everything works as far as part of the operational side of it.

And then for many years, I was doing the accounting, like, payroll type of thing, and recently, I kind of stepped down because we opened up all these other businesses, and there's a lot of other responsibilities, so I kind of took a step back, but I have to maintain my VP status just in case, you know, things happen in the future that I can take over.

Okay, so these are family businesses.

Yes.

But you're primarily a radiologist with Star Benioff.

Yeah, I'm a radiology technologist, and I work primarily in the mammal Department, doing mammographies and breast ultrasound.

Okay, Members, any questions? Okay, seeing none. Moving on. Okay, next we have Jeffrey Hicks, Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council. Jeffrey Hicks, are you present on Zoom?

Not present, Chair.

Jeffrey Hicks, are you present at all? Okay, we're gonna. We're gonna move that DM to Friday.

Okay.

For Jeffrey Hicks, that's GM560. And next we have GM563. Sarah Antone for Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council. Sarah Antone. Oh, come on up. Good afternoon. Okay, please proceed. Let us know why you want to be in this Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council.

Sure. Well, I appreciate the opportunity. I have been on the council since 2019, and it aligns a lot with the work I do at Catholic Charities Hawaii. I oversee our Youth Services division, so it gives me an opportunity to.

In my work, I oversee contracts across multiple agencies, and this gives me an opportunity to bring that perspective to the council as well.

Okay, next we have. And thank you for filling out your. It gives us an insight as to why you want to serve. Yes, sure. Okay, we have Catholic Charities also in support. Anybody else wishing to testify on Sarah Antone, GM563 Members, any questions? Okay. You seem very qualified.

Okay, thank you very much.

GM706, mental substance abuse Council, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kauai Service Area Board. First up, we have Pretty Tayal. Pretty. Are you present on Zoom?

Not present, Chair.

Okay. She's not able to make it. Okay. So her DM will also be moved to Friday at 1pm okay, next we have GM546 Waianuhea. Get to for Maui service Area Board Mental Health and substance abuse, Please proceed. Aloha. Aloha. Okay, why do you want to be in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Maui Service Area Board?

Mahalo for having me today. So I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. My area of focus is primarily with children and adolescents, though I do service and support adults as well. I'm a Maui girl, so born and raised from here. Very passionate about providing mental health services to our community.

I've worked directly in school systems as well as in private practice and I think I have a really unique perspective on some of the areas of strength that our system has as well as some of the areas of growth as well.

I think specifically for the island of Maui, we have just some unique things that our community has experienced in recent years that have significantly impacted the mental health and well being of our community. And so it's something that I'm really passionate about and would feel honored to be able to serve in this role.

Okay, thank you very much Members, any questions? Okay, can we do it? Yes, we will and I did say it but I'll announce it again. Okay. Members, can we move on to decision making?

We may.

Okay, as stated earlier, we are going to move GM 560 and GM 706 their decision making. That's Jeffrey Hicks and.

Give me a second to catch up to you.

Pretty tywa.

560 he said.

And 706.

I'm just going to pull the vote sheet real quickly.

560 and 706 will be for Friday March 6th at 1pm in room two to five. Got it. Okay. Okay. So moving on. So Let us on GM533 Laura Mallery Sayre Chair's recommendation is to advise and consent Any comments, questions concerns. Okay seeing non Vice Chair for the vote.

All right. Recommendation on 533 is to advise and consent. Of the Members present are noting the excused absence of Senator Keohokalole and Senator Fevella and their new RS or no seeing non recommendations been adopted

For Cynthia Mew Chair's recommendation for State Rehab Council GM569 Chair's recommendations to advise and consent. Any comments, questions concerns? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay Recommendation is to advise and consent of the Members presence. Any WRS or No? Seeing none. Recommendations adopted.

GM 551 Council on Developmental Disabilities Amanda Luning Chair's recommendation as advise and consent. Any comments questions concern? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

For recommendation 551 is advise and consent. Of the Members presence any WR or no? Seeing none. Recommendation adopted

GM 711 Marisa Celeste for counsel on mental health CH recommendations to advise and consent. Any comments questions concerned. Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay Recommendation is to advise and consent. Of the Members present any WRS and no? Seeing none. Recommendation has been adopted.

Okay GM 557 statewide health coordinating council Hannah Preston PETA chair's recommendation is to advise and consent. Any comments questions concerned? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay on GM557 recommendation advise and consent. Of the Members present any WRS and no? Seeing none. Recommendation adopted.

GM529 board Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Board Joy Court here's Recommendation is to advise and consent any comments questions concerns? Seeing non. Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay recommendation on 529 is advise and consent. Of the Members present any WRS and no? Seeing none. Recommendation adopted.

Okay GM538 Allen Novak Hawaii County Sub Area Health Planning Council. Chair's recommendation is to advise and consent any comments questions concerns? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay Recommendations advise and consent. Of the Members present any WRS and no? Seeing none. Recommendation adopted.

GM702 Michelle Kine Health Planning Council West Oahu Sub Area. Chair's recommendation is to advise and consent any comments questions concern? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay Recommendations advise and consent. Of the Members present any WRS and no? Seeing none. Recommendation has been adopted.

Kevin Kaneko Radio GM548 Radiologic Technology Board. Chair's recommendation is to advise and consent any comments question questions concern? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay recommendation 548 is to advise and consent. Of the Members present any WRS and no? Seeing none. Recommendation has been adopted.

Reiko Nakamoto GM549 Radiologic Technology board. Chair's recommendations to advise and consent. Any comments questions concerns? Seeing none Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay, recommendation is to advise and consent on the nomination. Of the Members present any WRS and no? Seeing none. Recommendation has been adopted.

Sarah Antone GM 5663 Juvenile Justice State Adversary Council. Chair's recommendation is to advise and consent. Any comments questions concerns? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay recommendations on 563 is to advise and consent. Of the Members present any WRS and no? Seeing none. Recommendation has been adopted.

GM 546 why Waianuhea Getgen Chair's recommendation for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Maui Service Area Board. Chair's recommendation is to advise and consent. Any comments questions concern? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay recommendations on 546 advise and consent. Of the Members present any WRS and no? Seeing none. Recommendation has been adopted.

And with that, congratulations to all of you, and we are adjourned.