Senate Standing Committee on Labor and Technology

Good afternoon. Welcome to the Senate Committee on Labor and Technology. This is our 3:00pm agenda. Today is March 11, 2026. We're in Conference Room 225 at the Hawaii State Capitol. This hearing is also being streamed on the Hawaii State Senate's YouTube channel. Just a few housekeeping announcements, in the unlikely case of technical failures.

This meeting will reconvene here in Conference Room 225 on March 13, 2026 at 3:00pm. For all testifiers, including those on Zoom, we ask that you stand on your written testimony. If your oral testimony is different from your written testimony, the time limit for each testifier will be one minute.

The content, including the hearing notice, copies of the measures and testimony can be found on the legislature's website. If time permits, decision making will occur, after we hear from all those offering testimonies.

We'll start off with. And how we would like to proceed is, how we've done previously in the past with our previous confirmation hearings, is we'll take testimony first and then we'll call on the nominee to come before the Committee. First up is GM 629.

This is submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council gubernatorial nominee Trang Malone for a term to expire on June 30, 2029. First up, Director Butay.

Good afternoon, Chair Elefante. Jade Butay, DLIR. Standing on testimony in strong support.

Thank you. Testimony and support. Thank you. We also have Gene Holta from Workforce Development Council.

Chair of the Workforce Development Council, stands on their testimony in strong support.

Okay, thank you, Ms. Holta. Testimony and support. And then that completes the list of registered testifiers. We had 13 people in support.

Those that have submitted testimony, written comments in support is Ellen May, Ramon F. Ruiz, Tanya Brown, Moana Wong, Miley Malone, Cheryl Cross, Sarah Christensen, Patrina Stoke, Scoff, Raquel Juanyo, Rachel Weinke, Christina T. Lee, and Le Naala Nakamura, all in support.

Anyone else that wishes to testify on GM 629? If not, we'll call on the nominee. Ms. Malone. Aloha and welcome.

Aloha. Thank you, Chair.

Congratulations on your nomination.

Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Chair. A little bit about myself.

If you can just bring the microphone a little closer, please. Yeah, There you go. Perfect.

Mahalo, Chair. A little bit about myself. I'm going to start a little further back, but my family immigrated to the United States in 1975. And so even from the beginning of that time, there were many organizations really to help our family get on our feet. So churches, community organizations, educational opportunities came about and really supported my family.

Later on, after I finished my Primary years of schooling. We grew up in a small town in Illinois. I then decided to join the United States Army. I just felt a calling that I had something larger to serve than myself. And so my friend and, my friend and myself, we joined the Army.

And then I'm going to fast forward 28 years later. I retired from United States, from the United States Army. Served in so many different roles. I started, funnily funny as a truck driver. And it kind of ties in with a lot of the needs that we have in our state now.

But from there, I decided healthcare was where I wanted to go. I grew up around the healthcare system. My father was a nurse and retired from the Veterans Affairs Hospital. So I worked in military hospitals. I worked in military field hospitals. I was an Inspector General.

I worked in so many different roles as operations and training manager. And so all those experiences really kind of led me, when I retired here, not only to Hawaii.

We knew being stationed here a couple times throughout the course of my tenure with the military, that this was where we wanted to end up, retire and raise our children. And so this year, I have a senior in high school, and I know that she's going to be going off to the mainland to college.

And I see the need for programs not only for our youth, but for so many different people in our communities. And I want her to come back. I want her to come back home here to Hawaii. This is where we've called home for the last 15 years.

And seeing her go, like, breaks my heart, but I know she's gonna learn and grow and come back and really serve our people here in Hawaii. And I'm not fully retired, so I also work for CVS Health, which obviously is a large company and we know it here as Longs Drugs. And I'm a workforce manager.

And so all of my military experience, like, so varied in the military, like, what can I be when I grow up? Or what can I do in my next career? And so I was lucky to meet some people with CVS Health. In this role, I get to build programs within our communities with CBOs, with government organizations.

You know, some of the work I'm really proud of working with our DOE entities, as well as building training labs. we have one pharmacy training lab with Maui College on their campus, and also one here locally at the Job Corps site out in Waimanalo. Another thing I'm super proud of is creating an apprenticeship program.

So we have a registered pharmacy technician apprenticeship program, and it's available on all of our islands. And so that's a program really geared toward youth, but any individuals looking to step foot into the healthcare sector.

And so I just really feel like all of my experience and looking forward, we are actually building a couple new training centers, one with US Vets on the west side and another one at the Dole Cannery with Abilities Unlimited, so with a disability organization.

So, you know, I really feel as I'm one individual and there are so many people that have, I guess, the same values and so many similar goals to help our community and help those. Really, that has helped us get to where we are today as well.

And so I feel like I'm one person, you know, I can help bring along others, you know, and share experiences and ideas and really help grow our workforce here in Hawaii. Thank you.

Thank you so much. And thank you for your service as well. Members, any questions for Ms. Malone?

Yeah, sounds.

Senator Moriwaki.

You can add so much to the Workforce Development Council that's looking at various sectors. So I was really interested in terms of the pharmacists because we do have a shortage. And I'm just wondering how you see the workforce that you're developing within CVS.

How does that relate to the rest of the state and having pharmacists in every island?

Yes, thank you for that. Yeah, definitely. You know, we are focused on the entry level, so the pharmacy technicians, and then from there, you know, building a pathway.

We've already started some conversations with our school on the Big Island on hopefully a pathway for those students who are in our apprenticeship program because we are partnered with Kapiʻolani Community College as one of our training providers. And so there is already a connection there, obviously with our community colleges and the UH school education program.

Entry level develop. Is that a developmental. A career ladder so that you can become a full fledged pharmacist? I don't know what that means, but, you know, going all the way up to, to actually being an independent pharmacist.

It can be, but obviously a lot more education to become a pharmacist.

Do we have the educational curriculum in the state to do that or do they have to go out?

They kind of have to do it on their own. And, you know, I just can speak on my company on its own, you know, like, we try to help provide tuition assistance. We have also fully funded bachelor's degree programs to help people meet those prerequisites for pharmacy school.

And how long is pharmacy school?

Five years.

Oh, wow. That's like being a doctor.

They are doctors.

Wow.

They are.

Okay.

Yes. Vice Chair Lamosao.

Thank you so much for you know, information in regards to your resume and also your experience.

I wanted to know, you know, in addition to recruitment, what are some of the ways and things that you folks or you have done as a workforce initiative manager to improve retention in your company and how you can expand that to all the. Or share some of those ideas to the other industries as well?

Yeah, definitely. And I think anybody who knows me knows that I am one to really share information and be part of a greater team because I know that we can't do any of this work by ourselves.

And so I'm not sure if you were here, Vice Chair, but I did talk about like our apprenticeship program and that's really reaching out to youths to start.

So kind of reaching out to them early and helping them on their path. Giving them the education, giving them that work based learning and really supporting them with a mentor as well to help them on whatever pathway they would like.

And so I feel like, you know, being a pharmacy technician could be just an entry level entry, but maybe they want to be a nurse or a doctor.

And so, you know, when they're paired up with our teams, they help them to say, hey, you know, if you want to become this, you know, here's, here's what you may need to do so that mentorship as well.

You know. Sorry, if I may. Mentorship is great, but what are you folks doing as a company to make sure they stay at CVS? Because retail pharmacy, my sister is a pharmacist, it's hard and they have families that they have to, you know, attend to. They have games that they have to go to.

And I speak to a lot of, not just my sister, but her friends about all their struggles. And so I want to know like, how do you guys as a company too?

And then not just how are you going to be sharing those, you know, ideas to make sure that other industries adopt this as well to find that good workforce or work and life balance.

Yeah. So our company does have a lot of supportive services, I would say, and I apologize because this is not really my area of expertise for our pharmacists.

So I really work at the areas kind of like at the two year college level and below, but just for myself as well as an employee of CVS Health, you know, they look at all our areas of health.

So whether it's financial, we have financial advisors to help us, we have coaches to help us with that work life balance. We also have, you know, health fitness courses, nutritionists, like whatever area of life really that we need support in.

There are individuals to help us with that as part of our, I guess our, you know, our compensation package or part of our company really working with us and helping with us. I will also say as well we also have other avenues. For example, we have, you know, colleague resource groups.

So I'm a part of the Women's Colleague Resource Group and in a couple of weeks we're going to be leading a presentation on educational benefits and we actually have different organizations come in and speak to us about, you know, growing not only personally but professionally and talking a lot about that work life balance.

We're also doing a dream board at this, I guess it's a day long retreat that we have. So really trying to make it local as well to help support one another. So I hope that helps to answer your question some, Vice Chair.

Yeah, it did touch upon, I wish you had talked a little bit more about sharing those ideas with maybe the company itself and making sure that I know this is about you joining the Workforce Development Council.

But you know, that's some of the things that as a company, if you folks have those values, it is important to also share it in the council as well because our market of employees is changing and their priorities are changing. And so maybe, yeah, I, I just have my own thoughts.

But anyways, I thank you for sharing that.

The Chair does have some follow up questions.

So in terms of what I've talked to with other nominees that have come here and they've been asked this is, how do you empower our youth and create a pipeline for our youth? Whether it's in the space of pharmacy techs, pharmacists, to what Vice Chair talked about in terms of retention, recruitment. How do you bring your experience? Being that you were in military operations for all those years and now in your role now, and how do you bring that to the Workforce Development Council where you maybe take a look at youth and how you can utilize our youth, get them employed, whether summer youth internship programs. So that you get them engaged early in that sense as sort of an idea to think about that maybe college might not be the right option.

Maybe they want to go a different route.

Right. Yes, Chair. Yeah, so many different routes for our youth. And I really think it begins at a really young age. And honestly I don't see a lot of those opportunities here, you know. We do work through the chamber sometimes and we provide speeches, things like that. We go out and conduct teaching sessions with our teachers at those younger grades.

But creating those pipelines and, you know, getting within our educational systems, within the DOE and the schools approving different types of programs. I know through the conversations I've had with a lot of CTE instructors and such, you know, it's, it's very difficult because they are also, you know, very short staffed.

And so, you know, they would love these additional opportunities. But it just seems like we're kind of shorthanded across the board. And so with the Workforce Development Council, the hope is to bring together our resources and maybe create a baseline of, hey, these are the opportunities available to individuals as youth. Introducing them to things early on.

I think I was introduced, I was a candy striper. I don't know if you know what a candy striper is, but I passed out trays in the hospital. And yes, I became a dietitian. I was a dietitian at first. And so that was my introduction to healthcare.

And so I don't, I'm not sure if our young people, even my own children, like, are not aware of all of the opportunities.

Like, I even tell, I have three young daughters in school and I tell them, like, you guys don't know how the opportunities that you have, you can get a job when you are 16 with our company and that's your foot in the door for healthcare.

But to go back to your question is, you know, working together and building, you know, finding pieces of common ground and sharing in those resources to build different pathways for our young.

No, thank you for that and I appreciate the answers on that. And then the last question I have is, so currently, now you're the vice chair of the council, is that correct?

That is correct, yes.

What efforts has WDC gone out to communities?

I know you mentioned you've gone out there in your capacity to community colleges, but what about going out into our communities and engaging people and meeting them where they're at? Rather than making a lot of these decisions or policy calls and thinking, okay, we have a strategic plan, we have federal guidelines.

But I think sometimes going out there and having boots on the ground and getting a field perspective, that.

That can help. I don't know if there's been efforts that have done before or is that something that WDC is looking into?

Yes.

Yes, thank you, Chair, for that question. So when we did write the state plan, we did go out and do listening sessions throughout the communities. And I feel like that was a great start for the WDC. And we do have plans because obviously we can't do any of this work without all those partners involved.

And so as we move forward, we do have plans to go out and, you know, gather more information and hear from our community members.

Okay. And I think what would be helpful for the Members if you do have that, I think some of the Members would love to participate or be engaged in that and see that. So just please let us know.

Yes, Chair.

Any further questions? If not, thank you so much. Really appreciate it.

Thank you. Chair. Vice Chair, Members of the board.

Okay, we'll move on to our next nominee, GM 633. This is submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hawaii State Machine Operators Advisory Board gubernatorial nominee, Reagan Taniguchi, for a term to expire on June 30th, 2029. First up, the only testifier, Director Butai. DLIR in strong support. Okay, that completes our registered list of testifiers. Anyone else on GM 633? Okay.

If not, we'll move on to our nominee who's joining us by Zoom. And before we continue, sir, are you parked and at a safe space? Yes, I am.

Okay, thank you for asking.

Yes. And if you could just introduce yourself and why you.

My name is. My name is Regan Taniguchi. You want me to tell you a little bit about myself?

Yes, please.

Crane operator for Hawaii Dredging Construction Company for 20 years. I just recently left Hawaiian Dredging to work for Operating Engineers Training Center up in Kahuku. And now, I'm the Crane Instructor up there. We deal with journeymen, crane operators, and apprentice current operators.

Okay. Anything else you wanted to add? And currently, you're on the, the board now, right?

Yes, I'm currently on the board.

Okay. And then, I think the question that I have for you is, are you aware that there is a bill—bill's moving to repeal this board?

Yes.

Okay. And are you in support of that?

Yes, I am.

Okay, thank you, Members, any further follow up questions? Okay.

If not, thank you so much and thank you for all your help too, in this space. I know you've been a big part of helping out with certifications and whatnot.

Yes, no problem.

Okay, thank you, Reagan.

Thank you guys. You guys have a good day.

You too.

And just, just for the nominees, know we, we will make decision making after we go through our last item. Our next and last item is GM 635. This is submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Trustees of the Deferred Compensation Plan gubernatorial nominee, Lance Larson Jr., for a term to expire on June 30, 2029.

And first up on our list is Brenna Hashimoto, DHRD Director. Okay, thank you. Testimony in support. That's the only person registered to testify.

All those that have submitted testimony in support are Reiko Matsuyama, Chairperson of the State of Hawaii Deferred Compensation Plan, Disa Hugh, Scott Hovey Jr., Michael Chow, Jarnet Lono, Neil Batad, Sabrina Valejo Uganiza, Wendy Ogawa, Moana Ho Koina, Nicole Issa Ijima, Sunny Greer, and Kalei Raposa, all in support. Anyone else on GM 635?

Okay, if not, our nominee joining us by Zoom. Aloha and welcome, Lance.

Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members. I'm Lance Larson Jr. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. It's been an honor to serve on the board since 2021. I take seriously the board's fiduciary duty and responsibility to safeguard our participants retirement savings. We have thousands of participants, about 28,000 participants in our plan.

15,000 are active members and about 13,000 are inactive members. If confirmed, I look forward to continuing to serve with diligence, integrity, and a commitment to the long term financial wellbeing of our public workforce. Thank you for your consideration and I'm open for any questions.

Okay, thank you. Members, questions?

I just want to thank...

Senator Moriwaki.

Thank you for your service for the last term and I'm pleased that the deferred comp program is in good shape. But if you have any challenges that you see that you want to share and what do you think about it in terms of the future?

I think the future looks bright for our plan. I don't see any real challenges, but we do have an RFP coming up for a new provider. That could be challenging. I see, you know, the plan has a lot of potential to serve as, you know, maybe even a recruitment or incentive tool for employees.

Of course that would, that would cost some money and we need to engage in further discussions with the board and other stakeholders. But I think going forward, if we can continue our outreach efforts through multiple modes, via email, newsletters, in person benefit fairs, we should be in very good shape and overcome a lot of the challenges.

You mentioned that it could be challenging for employees. What do you mean by that?

Not necessarily challenging for employees, but it is challenging to reach out to every employee to inform them of the benefits of the plan and make sure they're responding to our newsletters or outreach efforts.

So, it's more the outreach to all your beneficiaries or employees—I guess, your members?

Yes.

Okay. Thank you, Chair.

Okay.

Yeah, you're welcome. Members, any further questions? Senator Moriwaki asked the question that I was going to ask. So thank you, Senator, for that question. There being no further questions, Members, we'll move into decision making since we have quorum. And thank you to all our nominees for your willingness to serve and coming out, whether it's on Zoom or in person.

We do have a question. If we could just real quick call up Director Butay. On one of the nominees for the repeal of the Hoisting Board, do you know when, if those bills were to come into effect, then the board would...

I mean, I think the last one on the House version, I think it's July 1st, 3000. So if I'm still around by then, I think I would be the oldest person who ever lived.

Yeah, but I know DLIR supported that. So if we were to confirm and move forward, which some of the line of questioning, they would just serve until, if the bills were to pass, until it would be non-existent if that, if that's the intent of the Legislature.

Yeah. The board still meet though. They continue to meet to carry its function under the current law. And depending on when the, when the bill becomes effective, then...

Okay. Okay. No, understood. Thank you, Director. Okay, we'll move into decision making. We'll start off first with GM 629. This is submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council gubernatorial nominee Trang Malone for a term to expire on June 30, 2029. Chair's recommendation is to advise and consent. Any further discussion? If not, Vice Chair Lamosao for the vote. Chair votes aye.

Members, we are voting on GM 629. Recommendation of the Chair is to advise and consent. Chair votes aye. Vice Chair also votes aye. [Roll Call] Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you so much. Congratulations. Our next item is GM 633, submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board gubernatorial nominee Regan Taniguchi for a term to expire on June 30, 2029. Chair's recommendation is to advise and consent. Any further discussion? If not, Vice Chair Lamosao for the vote. Chair votes aye.

Okay. For GM 633, recommendation of the Chair is to advise and consent. Anyone present wanting to vote with reservations or no? Hearing none. Chair, all Members present vote aye. Your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you so much. Congratulations to Regan. And then our last item is GM 635. This is submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Trustees of the Deferred Compensation Plan gubernatorial nominee Lance Larsen, Jr. for a term to expire on June 30, 2029. Chair's recommendation is to advise and consent. Any further discussion? If not, Vice Chair Lamosao for the vote. Chair votes aye.

Okay. Members, voting on GM 635. Recommendation of the Chair is to advise and consent. Anyone present wanting to vote with reservations or no? Hearing none. All Members present vote aye. Chair, your combination is adopted.

Thank you so much. Congratulations, Lance. And there being no further business, the Committee on Labor and Technology is adjourned.