001Good afternoon and welcome to the committee on higher education. Uh sorry, but our chair is under the weather today. So I uh will be running the meeting. Uh today is Wednesday, April 3rd. It's 3:00 p.m. or 3:01 p.m. We are in room 229 and this um meeting is being lived uh streamed live in the event that something goes wrong or we have any technical difficulties. You'll find a link to viewing the options on a Senate meetings uh live on demand video page of the legislaturator's website and we will reconvene um to take the matters up Wednesday. No, let's see. When are we reconvening if anything goes wrong? Monday, April 8th. Monday, April 8th. And to remind our testifiers that due to time restrictions on our hearings, we'll be limiting testimonies to one minute per testifier
002per bill. And for those of you who are participating remotely, you can remain muted and when your name is called, we will let you in. Uh let's see. Members, we only have one measure on the agenda. So we're going to hear all the testimonies and then open up to questions. So the first item being House Bill 2577, House draft 1, authorizes Department of Health to require the Department of Education to report coronus disease 2019 potential outbreaks or other public health emergencies and related information in a manner most appropriate to public health and safety. as determined by the Department of Health repeals the requirement to publish the report on the Department of Education's website. And starting out with our first testifier is Keith Yashi. Aloh Vice Chair Kim, members of the committee. Keith Aayashi, superintendent, testifying
003on behalf of the Department of Education. The department stands on its written testimony in support of this measure. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. Thank you. Department of Health in support Kim, members of the committee. Aloha. My name is Todd Wilson. I'm the school health adviser here for Dr. Sarah Campbell and uh Dr. Nathan Tan. Uh we stand on our written testimony and we are available for questions. Great. Appreciate that. Thank you very much. And we have Annucci, the Attorney General. Good afternoon, Vice Chair Kim, members and Herici, Department of the Attorney General. Um, as we set forth in our testimony under the bill, there's a theoretical potential for the DOE to be asked to provide personally identifiable information as defined under FURPA. Pursuant to Furpa, the DOE must first determine whether there's a
004health or safety emergency that warrants the release of personally identifiable information before it can provide such information. To avoid any potential furer violations, we provided um suggested uh revision to the bill in our testimony. I'll be available for questions. Thank you. Thank you very much. Anyone else wishing to testify? Angela. Aloha. um committee Angela Melody Young testifying on behalf of CARES. Um so this um proposal is a request for DO and DOE to initiate to work together on reporting public health emergencies such as CO 19 and other similar emergencies. And I agree with AG's comments that under this bill there's um theoretical potential to provide personally identifiable information. And my major concern with the bill is privacy laws as per HIPPA act which is a federal act to set standards and is not legislated here
005in this bill to protect minors. The HIPPO privacy rule creates national standards to protect medical records and it does set a limit and conditions on the uses and disclosures that may be made of such information without authorization. Um and the privacy rule is located in chapter 45 code of federal regulations part 160 and subp parts A and E of part 164. Um and it provides comprehensive federal protection um privacy laws. Um so the concern is practical because epidemiology information is used to guide public policy. Um so from the Hawaii vice statute chapter 321 the do shall maintain data repositories, charts, patient information, data submission and epidemiology information for all emergency medical services statewide. So you can um or not you but I wanted to say that with my interpret interpretation of this is that the
006epidemiological information um needs to be protected. Thank you Angela. Okay. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to testify on this measure? Any questions? Yeah. Senator. So, so at this time are you guys putting up on the website or giving um private or personal information to anyone saying to any kind of health and health risk to the public of the community? Currently, thank you senator. Uh currently for our COVID reporting uh we are reporting just the number of cases per school. I think the concern is that uh when the cases are numbers are low I believe currently from March October to March averaging uh six cases a day statewide um that could um potentially uh because the case load is small it could be be interpreted and possibly identify those students who may be out. I think
007that's a concern. So that's the reason why um you guys don't want to report the amount of kids that might be infected due to um their names might be figured out that that's why they're not in school. That might be one possibility. I think the main reason for us for the request uh to resin um the the uh for the our support of this measure is that um from when the measure was the law was first enacted to now the number of co COVID cases has dramatically decreased. Uh yet the um requirement is still that uh schools report uh their cases. So they have been doing that. Um but where we are now in terms of the total number of COVID cases um statewide has dramatically decreased. Hence we're asking for this uh to be
008repealed. I mean, I understand um the need of keeping the individuals um information quiet, but I mean, are you guys having a difficult time manage this uh site to letting how much cases of the community has? Um it uh it is an additional requirement for our schools to uh input the data, right? um when the the situation currently from when it when it was first enacted the number of co COVID cases had dramatically decreased. Uh we we do though uh should um this this measure pass uh definitely will continue our partnership with the department of health and if there is any other requirements that uh the department of health uh would require of us in moving forward in this or any other case uh we definitely committed to supporting and working together with them. So
009just the um putting the information of schools that having infection on the website is probably we're not going to have that but you guys still yet reporting to the department of health of each school that has an outbreak whether it's one or two you guys report any cases or any kind of health cases to the department of health because what I'm reading this to is not just with corona virus but any kind of health uh issue similar to the outbreak of corona virus. Yes. If if there are um uh department of health uh so designates that we uh need to require um reporting to them in any kind of an an outbreak uh potentially then we would definitely do that. Um as I shared uh whatever they would require of us we would work together
010with them to determine what the best um move forward would be. All right. Thank you, chair. Thank you. Is there any further questions? Yes, thank you. Um, so superintendent, as I see, this is almost a little bit of a housekeeping deal kind of moving forward and then Department of Health, if you come up a second. Um, I think what Senator Favlla is getting to, and I agree with him, that we still have the reporting in place because Department of Health, you'll be tracking statistics if you see a spike of something. Correct. This um uh the reporting would actually conclude. So the um system that we're talking about is called the case reporting tool was set up between department of health and department of education during COVID and it was a great collaboration and it's been
011really helpful. Um at this point the um we would with the ending of this legislation we would conclude that system. So that would not be we would not continue to to gather that daily or weekly totals from the department of education. Okay. But you could you could require something on we have a we actually in this partnership um you know we've actually created the outbreak reporting tool which gathers uh other diseases and that's something we've got readily available and we'd like to kind of move forward and have um the department of education uh kind of move online. It's a secure system. It's a SharePoint system and so we're in u conversation right now about onboarding all of the DOE schools to that system. So we would have a mechanism in place for disease reporting that
012would be a secure system similar to what we have now with COVID but it would be more extensive for other diseases. So yeah, go ahead. No, go ahead. No, I just because I think the intention is to be able to track because if you see a spike of something as Department of Health that takes care of the community, we know something's coming at us. And I think that's what our concern is. Well, we're uh we're no longer uh I mean the the testing that you know the system you originally supported was at the school sites so we could confirm those tests being positive. we knew they were um you know well uh proctored and the the information was the data was clean so to speak. Now um the tests are at home tests. We don't
013we we can't really guarantee that even the tests that they're reporting a parent may call in and say that their a child's COVID positive but that's a home test and as we know the home tests have you know a varying rate of of accuracy right so the system as it stands now is is not a reliable source for spikes we're using a lot of different mechanisms wastewater uh we're we're using you know hospital um you know kind of data and longare uh you know other facilities to to really kind of have sentinel or or advanced warning mechanisms. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, chair. So, as far as DOE is concerned, so if you folks see anything like of concern because a lot of times the kids get it first, right? Um then you will
014report it your process in place to report. If we do see inordinate amount of uh cases, whatever that may be, be measles or something, right? Definitely we'll be connecting up with the department of health. Okay. So, you have a process in place. has a process in place for the teachers or the school to report that that would rise to the level of the principal. Principal would walk to talk with the complex area superintendent and we'd be a notified we'll be contacting department right away. Okay. So you we do have a process know you have a process you know what to follow. Yes. Okay. And so finally do we need this language then that the AG put in if we're actually repealing this sort of I would I would defer to the department of the attorney
015general. Okay. Ag. Thank you. So your language that you're recommending is it is it needed or you're not going to be reporting anymore? I think it is needed because it's amend the bill will amend act four from that um special session of 2021. So there is still a mechanism in place and so we want to make sure that going forward that it's clear in statute that do cannot um require the dissemination of any kind of personally identifiable information unless the DOE first makes a determination that there's a health or safety emergency that requires a dissemination of that type of information. Okay. Thank you members. Any other questions? If not, um I guess we'll just go into decision making and then take up the the next question of the GMs separately. Um so I am going
016to recommend that we do pass this measure with amendments uh change the effective date to upon approval and also to add in the AG's AG's language that and to uh add in the language recommended by the attorney general. Any other uh thoughts about this discussion? If not, um, thank you. The chair votes I to amend House Bill 2577 to SG1. Thank you. Uh, chair votes I. Uh, Senator Hashimoto. I vote I and Senator Favlla. I, Cherry, you have four in favor. Motion is adopted. Thank you. And we'll go to our next agenda. Since we didn't adjurnn, I don't think I have to go back in again. So with that, we are taking up four advising consent members. The first one being GM 589 submitting for consideration and confirmation to the early learning board uh gubinatorial
017nominee Soma Gandhi for a term to expire 6:30 2027. And let's see testifying is Yuku Aricawa Cross, executive director of the Office of Early Learning. I stand on our written testimony in support. Thank you, Yuko. Um, anyone else here wishing to testify on this nomination? Seeing or hearing none, we want to call the nominee. She is on Zoom with us today. Welcome. Hello. Would you like to open with some remarks? Thank you for that opportunity. Um, aloha, Vice Chair Kim, and members of the committee. Mahalo for the opportunity to testify today. I am honored to be considered for this post. I thank Governor Green for the nomination and the many colleagues who submitted testimony on beha on my behalf. I look forward to this opportunity to serve our families and Kiki across Hawaii as an
018early learning board member. I'll bring to the board over 25 years of experience as a health and human service administrator and I've worked in a number of fields related to kei. Beyond the subject matter expertise, I care deeply about access and quality learning. I have twin boys who are born and raised on Hawaii Island. And as all parents wish, we want and desire healthy and thriving opportunities for our kei to grow and to thrive. I hope to integrate my expertise, my passion, collaborative spirit to support the early learning board to meet the responsibilities. I stand by my written testimony and I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have. Thank you for your time and consideration and to commitment to our communities across the state. Mahalo. Thank you very much. U members, any questions
019of our nominee? Oh, no. I just wanted to let her know she never have one minute. That was for the testifiers, so you didn't have to rush your statements, though. I appreciate that. Oh, I have none. Okay. Anybody else? Um, you've been on the board serving for several months now. Just a couple of meetings. Just a couple of meetings. Yes. So, just based on your two meetings, what what what is your observations and your thoughts? Uh I'm learning and I know that we're going through a transition with the board uh as there's more nominees that are coming up and there will be a whole transition with the board. So I'm intrigued around how the different expertise will come together and that shift that will be happening. Um I've enjoyed spending some time with the executive
020director Yuko um and starting to learn a little bit about um what what's the work that's happening. Okay. So, with the change and with being a wholesale new boy coming on and yourself and one other today that we're confirming, the others will be confirmed, I believe, uh, next week sometime. Uh, that'll give you seniority. You'll be the old member on the board. So, uh, any thoughts as far as u what kind of leadership you can provide, if any. You know, I think this is an opportunity to co-create and co-learn together. We'll all be going through the newness of all of this. And um my goal is to support the executive director to the best of our ability and and help provide direction and strategy and priority support for her and her team. You know, I
021I strongly believe that early learning is very important to our youth, but I also for believe as strongly that um being nurtured at home and with family values are also very important and having a balance there. What worries me is sometimes families because of work or other um obstacles uh just want to get the child out of the home so they can make sure they can, you know, do do what it is they need to get taken care of. and that um sometimes that's not always the answer to how our children um form their values and receive some of these nurturing nurturing um lessons that they they need to have growing up. Do you have any thoughts about that on how we strike that balance? It's challenging and that's a very complicated um and insightful
022observation uh in the sense that part of our pressures it's not just about growing our children. It's about being able to as a family live and thrive in Hawaii and that has to do with housing, transportation, jobs, multiple jobs. All of these things are are complicated. Um I agree with you. you know, I had the opportunity to stay at home with my children for over a year and I had a lot of support from my employer and um from my family to be able to do that and that that made a big difference. Not everyone can do that. So, so that's what I mean about the complications that are beyond um just what happens in this um in the early learning board. it this has to do with more of the holistic um conversations around
023how do we make um Hawaii a place for people to be able to thrive. I recently had a conversation, maybe this is not so much about your board, but it is about balance and um we're talking about children not going to kindergarten before they're five because we changed that law. And of course there's, you know, certain people on different sides and they're saying, "Yeah, but I have to pay one more year of child care." Though that's the only reason why they would want their child to go to kindergarten like start in September even though they're born in December. Uh because of that cost and not necessarily what is best for the child. Um, so sometimes that worries me as we continue to push um education and so forth on whether or not the child is
024really getting that education or being pawned off um for the state to have to take care of. But anyway, I don't think that we'll answer that question today, but certainly appreciate your willingness to serve. And uh there are no questions from Senator Richards. Yeah, thank you. Um, so you and I have had some of the conversations on this, but specifically ge geographically speaking, Big Island is a big island versus Aahu. Geographically, um, I think there's some challenges when we talk about early education. as a state board, how do you how do you see this being able to address small geographical areas versus substantially large geographical areas? I think we need to have the information and you know, I had the lived experience being that mother of twins in Punea and my children changed child care
025three times in one year and I shared that in in um some of my testimony um prior. Those are all real challenges and I we those are things we have to consider and figure out and when we set statewide policy on things that might impact different neighborhoods on the different islands in different ways. So that's what's s very very important. I'm appreciative that this board composition will be with people from the different geographic areas um because there will be people from um Hawaii Island and and Maui and Kauaii and and hopefully they'll be able to bring um those nuances in terms of access to the forefront. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Chair. Thank you. Question, Senator Hash. Well, thanks. Thanks for that statement. I think I as being a neighbor handler myself I I think
026you're going to play a very important role in bringing that geographic perspective. I think what from from your first couple of meetings do you feel that there is that other perspective of taking care of the rural communities u in sometimes more you know we're not in the urban core you know big island Maui Kauaii sometimes we have to make sure that you know the policy is set with the mindset that there are other types of areas that you're going to have to serve but has has that been the forefront and are you going to be the advocate for for the neighbor islands? Well, I'm always the advocate for neighbor islands and people who know me know that that's usually how I come forth. Um, but we have we're going to have a number of folks
027on the board who are advocating for their geographic um, distribution and what is the experience happening that way. I believe that this will always be a forefront for any kind of priority setting and decision-making to make sure that a child in Kohala or Cahoo has the same access and experience that a child in an urban area in our state would have. That's important. Okay. Well, great. I I think I I challenge you to continue that perspective because I think it's it's important. I think sometimes when we get into decision making it sometimes we I I think especially some with the with the staff they're they're looking at very logistical items and sometimes it's harder to to get a broader understanding what what's going on with the rest of the state and different models that need
028to be implemented. So I think your your voice will be very important in those discussions but I'm happy that we will we'll have strong representation from the neighbor islands. So thank you. I appreciate that invitation to continue that challenge. Thank you very much. Um I do want to add just a perspective as an urban representative is that you know sometimes I admire and um relish the the um rural areas and in fact the families tend to be uh much more um well knitted together and yet you do have stronger values because you don't have all of the um distractions and stuff that go on in the urban areas. So while a lot of times we talk about the the downfalls of being from a rural area, I think there's a lot of positiveness and we
029need to look at that and we need to strengthen that. So and you guys can teach the urban areas some stuff. So thank you very much. Sure. Just get Yes. couple followup. According to your resume, you develop a short film to increase mental health mental health help seeking behaviors of Pacific Islander male students and also having a background with child abuse and neglect. Um, absolutely. Um I don't say what the reason but um what what did you get out of that short film and and and doing what you do with what you know about child abuse and with the short film the the short film was created when I was at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and at that time I was overseeing our medical services our mental health counseling and also prevention education
030which included sexual violence prevention ion and suicide prevention. At that time when we were looking at our data, we found that it was young male Pacific Islanders who were less likely to access helpseeking behaviors through our mental health counseling programs. We probably most of us would know that, but you know, we looked at our data and that's what we were seeing. So, we sought to do some additional outreach uh in connected to our amazing Pacific Island um programming and services that happen at uh Hilo to um create a path and a bridge utilizing Pacific Islander male voices to help with that outreach. Do you believe there is should be a process if if if there is if there isn't any at the time on early early school education identifying the harm that children has been
031exposed and also so have you addressed it how did you address it uh do you mind repeating the question are we talking the the first part was around identifying any harm that the children has been exposed opposed to and if so how would you had how would you address it? Um so as an educator because I've been in a educator in the K to2 system if there was identification of harm we were trained to be able to address it with both the student and get support from administrators and counselors uh in in that way. But part of being able to address it is to be able to identify signs and symptoms of harm that might be happening. The reason why I asked this question, um, I I'm I'm only new. I'm a new guy here,
032but looking at your background, especially coming back coming from Hawaii Island or whatever they decide to call the island, um I I really appreciate your background, especially when it comes to mental health and abuse because on Hawaii Island, you know, there's a lot of trials and tribulation for our kids even going to public school. annoying that you're already talking about you having hard time finding child care in Puna on on in that area on the on the difficulties of of living in certain areas and getting things done. Reason why I bring this up is because as DOE as as early learning educators, I have a I always have a big issue with that because this is where we're going to save our children from being victimized and we are the first line of defense. And
033the reason why I say first line of defense is because I was a custodian and a security before I came into this square building. When I seen these things, I reported it not only to the principal but to HBD. I'm glad that you have this background going forward. Then maybe you can share your mana and try to push more with the early learning board to really observe signs of abuse because maybe the methods that I had learned 20 years ago is not the same methods that we're learning now but the signs are similar of what they go through especially what you was just explaining. So if you can, that's one of the require requests that you help us with because our kids are dying and being abused and we are the only line of defense
034that these children have is at our DOE school cuz they spend a lot of time with us. So if you can give me that, I I appreciate it. And another thing, chair, I wanted to add is I like at the end over here where you say I am here to serve. Um can you share what what what you know what you mean by that because I I like that terminology. So can you elaborate a little bit? Um, I feel a deep sense of kulana to the communities that have embraced me and um that have also raised my children with me. Um, that have invited me into my learning journey around, you know, the topics you're talking about with mental health and child abuse and neglect. I'm here to serve my community. I'm part of this
035community and we are raising our children together. Thank you, chair. Okay, thank you very much. Thank you. Okay, moving on to GM590, submitting for consideration and confirmation to the early learning board nominee Stephanie Shepton for a term to expire 6:30 2027. Uh testifying again is I stand on my testimony. Thank you. Oh, anyone else here wishing to testify? Yes, sir. Chair members of committee. My apologies for testimony but at least stand in support of this nominee. Thank you very much. Anybody else? We do have a one from the principal of Kohi Elementary also in support. Okay, Stephanie, you are here. There she is. Is it one minute or is it more? No, you can as long as we stay within some limited time. You're welcome to to give your piece. Great. I was scratching things
036out trying quickly trying to short it, but it doesn't mean you could talk for an hour. I promise I will be u mindful of your time. Um good afternoon, Vice Chair Kim, members of the Senate Education Committee. Thank you for your time and for your consideration of my nomination today. Um, I believe that a strong early learning ecosystem that inspires young people and empowers communities is critically important for the future of our state. This belief is born from my own experience growing up in a single parent household, where I had the opportunity to attend quality daycarees and public preschools, places where I learned and built friendships that last to this day. and I am forever grateful that for my own young children here in Hawaii, we have had access to similar resources. My two kiddos
037have explored Hawaiian culture and values alongside learning their ABCs somewhat um through the parent participation program at Kikioka. They have learned to malama aa and deepen their relationship to our community and to hea through programs at Papa Hana. They've made lifelong friends through our participation in Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, Pico Palace Program, which is a program for new parents of very young children. It's you're eligible if your child is three months old to participate. And through the birthing classes that Best Hookie and Castle Hospital offer, they'll continue their learning um at a Sunshine School, a preschool on the windward side of Oahu. My oldest is in her second year there now, and my son will be joining her in the fall. Um, that's right. My daughter turned four yesterday and my son is just over
038two. So, if you do the math, I have two within two years apart from each other. So, I am a little bit tired today as I come to see you. And if you look closely, the washable marker on my foot is not as washable as the name claims it is. So, I apologize for that. Um, but it's not just my experience as a daughter and a mother that brings me to this work. I have built a career in education policy in systems change and program implementation. This career began as a classroom assistant in a prek classroom in Washington DC serving primarily Al Salvadorian and Honduran students. I can hold diverse system perspectives. I can make connections and I can dive into the details. All important skills for a board member with this important work in
039front of them. And I truly believe that transformational change requires a broad and diverse coalition of people with empathy and who are grounded in place. I believe that my orientation to leading through aloha, compassion, and connection will contribute to a strong board culture that a culture that fosters empowerment, nimleness, and creativity. And I commit to operating from a place of possibility and curiosity to coming to the work ready to engage to listen connect and explore and to be very clear on the importance of governance and accountability as the early learning board sets forth on this new chapter. I'm excited about the opportunities to set clear strategic vision and direction to make sure that we have easily accessible data to understand not only our progress but also our challenges. the opportunity to build up a strong
040board structure that maximizes our ability to advise to direct and provide recommendations to EOLE on how to improve not just qual quality but availability and coordination of programs. These are all exciting opportunities in the next three years and I look forward to how to work with EEL on the training that will help not only their staff succeed but help our board be effective. In the 12 years I have been in Hawaii, I have learned invaluable skills or invaluable lessons about myself, this place, and what it means to work alongside communities and other stakeholders. And should you choose to recommend me, I will bring that same passion for learning, for equity to this work along with an open mind to diverse perspectives, experiences, and context, and an orientation to possibility and curiosity. So, thank you again
041for your consideration. Thank you, Stephanie. Members, any questions? Senator Richards, thank you. Uh, thank you for agreeing to step up. Couple of questions. You said Kiki, so why may uh all over they have programs all over. So, the my daughter attended the program in Kaneoh. Okay. And they just opened a Kyua campus and that's the one my son and I go to on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I think they have one. They do. Yeah. And in Pearl City, we'll be at their Pearl City campus tomorrow learning about the water system. And then I saw you listed Mahina. She's my friend. So, um question now. Um, you've heard some of the the comments that were made in previous candidate geographical concerns, but also something that Senator Kim brought up concerning family structure and regional, I guess
042I'd call it regional family structure versus being spread out because of jobs or whatever the case may be. What are your thoughts on all of that? So for one of the things I've appreciated that the the preceding board has implemented, it seems like they've made a lot of space for voice. Whether that's multiple opportunities for public input within the same meeting agenda or making sure that they're always asking the question of whose voices haven't been represented here and how can we incorporate those voices. I think that's something that is an opportunity for the new board to continue to explore. How are we making sure that not just our perspectives or the perspectives of the folks leading organizations are included, but also how are we getting out into communities where we represent in order to hear
043what's happening on the ground, what's happening in classrooms, what's happening for families, so that all of that can inform our decision-m. Um, and then to your question about family structure, you know, my we have been fortunate enough that we've been able to sort of cobble together different types of child care. My daughter was born at the height of lockdown. Um, we didn't make it to the hospital in time for her to be born because we were so worried about the restrictions about who could and couldn't be in the room that she ended up being born in our shower, thankfully without any complication. Um, and so, and that's a story for another time, I'm sure. Um, but we've been privileged that I was able to step back from from work when it was too much having
044two children under the age of two. That I can attend these programs with my children that, you know, we could work from home and work remotely, that we have somewhat of a support system. But I know that that experience isn't true for all of the families here. And I think what's important for the early learning board and EOLE to consider is how do we make sure that not having those privileges is a barrier to quality education. How do we make sure that every child regardless of where they live at least has access to quality learning or early learning opportunities? And if we can hold that central, I think it can help us to look beyond not just the education system, but what are the other things that need to be in place to support families
045to be able to make those choices. Okay. Um, and I'm agreeing with you. One of one of the premises that I've had concerns is that we all work so many different jobs that we lose the family structure and we backfill it by having early childhood care etc. shortterm we're okay, but I worry about the long term because I don't have that family structure. And something Kurt um Senator Favlla was talking about having those support structures because, you know, um teen suicide and all those demographics that maybe were missing. And I think if we can get a good crack at it early on, maybe we can solve some of that. So, I appreciate you willing to do it. I have nine-year-old twins, so I get it. I get the part about being tired. And I will
046say I have been so grateful for programs like Kikioina and the work happening at Papahan Kuola where I can go with my children. We can learn together and I can build relationships with other parents that are kind of in it with me as our our kids are going through similar stages. Um so I think those types of programs in the ecosystem alongside public preschool and other things are just invaluable. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you chair. I want to uh build on what he said um on the long term because as serving on this board early learning you tend to only focus in on the early learning aspect of it. But that's just the beginning of the journey that they take and that's the foundation. And uh it concerns me that I have not seen as
047much demand as I have recently uh last so many years and not only with CO but before CO the need for mental health therapists, the need for mental health services and it makes me stop and pause and and ponder what might be causing that in our young people. I think some of it is being more aware, but the other is there seems to be a lot of pressure on our our our young people to start them early in school, get early learning, and then when they get into school, you know, the competition, and then um declaring what your pathway is going to be, and then early college, uh stressing me out right now. Yeah. Early college, and you're not even through with high school, and you're thinking about getting credits because you want to be
048ahead of everybody else. So, you don't enjoy your college life. You don't enjoy the sports and the elected electives. And I know I I was on the yearbook staff and stuff like that and on the pep squad and because everyone's pressuring them out that they have so many credits so they have their associate degree by the time they graduate from high school that the pressure on some of these kids and I've had them work for me in my office and they're bright and they're quick but there's some issues that they they have and they have to go see a therapist. So, I hope that that's something that and that's why I speak on balance because we really need that. I mean, the push for everybody to to get through and these kids see the other
049kids do it and they want they don't want to be left behind and some of them are can handle it, but others can't, right? So, um that's something I hope that you consider. Um, I have one child, he's obviously 34 now, but I know how difficult it is and with two and that young age that you have, um, I'm wondering as far as time, do you have the time to put in to service and you not um, short change your children because of your service to to to government? Yeah, that's a great question. I appreciate you asking it. Um, I'm very fortunate that we have a strong family structure here. You know, my dad looks forward to his grandpa days on Monday and Wednesday with my son. Um, my daughter is in preschool right now.
050And so, when we made that decision as a family for her to start preschool is because we could see that she was looking for more social experiences. She was so advanced in terms of her language skills that I knew I was doing a disservice to her to kind of keep her home with me all day. Um, so that was a really long conversation we had. I cried a lot. We dropped her off. Um, and she's thriving there. And I know I look at my son and I know he will do the same this fall, but I know that's not true for all students and for all young people. Um, my son will be there in the fall and so that opens up a lot of time on on my plate. I I also resigned from
051my sort of full-time professional career last May because I wanted to be more intentional about how I spent my time. I carved out a section, a chunk of time that would be for things that I care about, that I'm passionate about, that I can see will have impact. Um, this is one of those things. So, I've done the equations to figure out, you know, what is it my children will need for me? How can I be the parent that I want to be for them and be present to the things that I care about? So, we've we've talked about it as a because as they say, if you want something done, give it to a busy woman, too. But luckily, yes. But luckily I had a good system um support system my mom and dad
052and and so I went to work you know knowing that they were he he was well taken care of and that allowed me to serve as well. So congratulations to you for helping that. Questions about I get I get questions. I get questions. I love hear you say my question is do we have carryovers for this early learning board after the term over? No, I think Oh shucks. We better put that in then anyway cuz 2027 is too too too short. Um but what what what I seen over here of course you're not going to catch my eye cuz I'm a graduate of James Campbell High School. So I want to ask you the question. So you was at James Campbell High School um and you was working with the human services academy advisory board.
053Mhm. So how was that? How was that with because I know we're doing all of thesemies and stuff like that. So what what what year was that? And how how was it for you? Oh gosh, you're asking me to remember years. Um it was pre-children. So it was BC before children. Um I'm going to say it was in 20 18 or 2019. It was when um Lord Ryan Lazardo was just starting it up. I'm not sure if you're familiar with him. He's he's at Chamber of Commerce now. Was um a teacher at Campbell High School for a long time. He was a returning alum who returned to the school to teach and he was the one who helped start the academy program. Um, my experience with that was they did an incredible job bringing in
054community members and finding the right community members to dig into different questions about the types of curricular approaches and policies at their school that would help move it forward. I was there for the very beginning stages of it, so I haven't seen how it's come to fruition since then. Um, but at the time it felt like they were asking the right questions, bringing in the right people, and trying to just be really curious and innovative in what they did. Yeah. Cuz I was working at Campbell at that time when they first started the academy. My custodian, I was the bathroom by the cafeteria. That was my area. Just listening to what you give. The reason why I say this chair is is that being for Campbell. No, no, no more Campbell. Sorry, Sabers. Anyway, the
055the the bottom line is that what what you guys are bringing with the previous person and yourself is not the knowledge, not only the knowledge that you have as being a parent, but knowing the value of having that and how you know that get other kids and other families out there that don't have what you have cuz sometimes the disconnect is that what you mean? What you mean your kid cannot do this? my kid doing see what I heard from both of you guys. you guys connect to that and that's what we need really need in Ernie Learning because it's hard when you get teachers or people try to push policies and procedures that don't connect with the families and the kids because that's the problem you know and then ex exactly what Senator Richard
056said you know my concern is deeply and I'm going to share this again is our youth's suicide you yeah during co in my district. I'm not going to say my district, but my district that falls into a big district area. I'm not going to say where we lost three teenagers, not more than 17 years old by suicide during COVID. And we want to do everything that we can to address these things. Again, I think early learning, what you guys are sharing with the chair and the rest of the committee, I think we're on a on a on a great path, but we can do more as uh chair said to to really recognize the the need for mental health in in the early learning stages so that they can be productive uh citizens. So, thank
057you for your service. Appreciate you. Okay. I don't mean to cut anybody off, but one of our members have to plane. So, we're going to depart from the norm and uh vote on the first two because he doesn't want to miss all four votes. So, uh just remember we're doing this for appreciate members consideration. So, I'm just going to go right into decision- making on the first two GMs for the early learning uh board uh for GM589 um for the confirmation of Sum Gandhi. The recommendation is to advise and consent. Any discussion members? Hearing none. The chair votes I. Chair votes I. Senator Hashimoto I. Senator Favlla. Yeah. I and I vote I. Chair, you have four in favor. Motion is adopted. And for GM590, this is for the consideration confirmation for Stephanie Shipton. Uh
058the recommendation is to advise and consent and chair votes. The motion is to advise and consent. Chair votes I. Senator Hashimoto I. Senator Richards votes I. Senator Favlla I. Chair you have four in favor. Motion is adopted. So we're going to go on to GM522. And I know that Senator Hashimoto would would love to stay but because of other commitments he has to leave. Uh so that's nothing against the two nominees that are coming up. Okay. Uh with that we are on GM522 submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hawaii Teachers Standard Boards Guban Gubanatorial nominee Deo Matsugura for a term to expire 6:30 2026 and testifying is Osatoule from HSTA. Anybody here testifying in person? Seeing none, uh let's see. We have testimony written from Sean Sha Wong and from Susan Roco, both in
059support, uh principal of Roosevelt High School, Shawn Wong. So, anyone else wishing to testify on this nominee? If not, uh Dale, if you to come forward, okay, you're welcome to give opening remarks about yourself and why you want to serve. Thank you very much. Um, good afternoon, Vice Chair Kim and members of the education committee. My name is Dale Masura and I'm a student services coordinator at Roosevelt High School. Um, I've been in the DOE for over 23 years um between Kana Nakoa and Roosevelt High School. I served as a special education um reading and science teacher and then a curriculum coordinator and then now finally in my role as a student services coordinator. Um I have three children in the DOE system. Um a a second grader at Monoa Elementary, a middle schooler at
060Stevenson Middle, and um my son attends Roosevelt with me. And so, um, I'm glad to answer any questions. How is that having a child at the school? Um, I see it on TV a lot. Uh, I think that's more a question for him. But it's good for me. It's like they ask me how is it having your son here in the same building with you. It's different. Okay. Members, questions. Just just get one question. depending of what they say I might come. But anyway, what I like to see that you know that um you know especially with your special education background um what what do you think the challenges are as a special education teacher now um as um in the previous past. Reason why I say that is because I I know when I
061was going to school the special education um system was different. The kids had classes that they would be in all day and then you had a homebased teacher. You had a uh special education coordinator that overseeing all the teachers. Now it's inclusion, you know. Can can you share your experience on the inclusion and how you know it differs than than going um like before? Um so I believe that the inclusion I'm an advocate of um inclusive education to the um greatest extent possible and that um allows the students an opportunity to get rigorous instruction um as best they can alongside their peers. Um I this is you know this push um in Hawaii is somewhat more recent. Um and I know schools at Roosevelt we do offer um a lot of inclusion classes uh as
062compared to many other areas we um I and I do think in the high school you just have more funding you have more student body um size so that you have the opportunity to do that in the high school setting. Yeah. Yeah. The only reason why I say that is because in my community, I've been having a lot of uh um concerns that their student with the inclusion is being prior to the inclusion now they being bullied because they have their teacher assisting with the regular teacher in the inclusion. So when they leave classes, they're getting picked on knowing that they're in special education class. The reason why I bring this up is because previously nobody knew you was in a special education learning disability, emotionally handicapped, unless you're on a wheelchair, um knew that
063you was in special ed because the classes was secluded. I'm not saying that's the best way, but going forward being on the early, you know, doing this early learning board, can you guys look into a way of collaborating with with both sides? Because it is important to have the social inclusion, but if it's going to cause them to be bullied and not be able to um um produce um you know, the regular work, I say because I see it on both sides that is good. I understand what you're saying, but as the early learning board, as you go up and start having this process, can you kind of intertwine or kind of entertain something like that when you guys, you know, doing the you guys whenever you guys do? You know what I mean, right,
064Chair? Okay. Thanks, sir. That's about it. I promise I'm not going to come back. You promise. Pinky promise. Okay. Um, sure. Sure. Yes. Go. Yeah. Thank you. Um, okay. So, you've heard the conversations previously about geography, urban versus rural. Um, want some of your thoughts on that spec specifically as it relates to we're talking about teacher standards certification, but then also reertification. [Music] Things evolve over time. And what's your perspective on that? because I have my own thoughts as far as maybe some of our rural schools. So, the rural schools do just naturally have more difficult time retaining and recruiting teachers in general. And um and so and then I'm sure their access to getting professional development and reertification is an added difficulty on top of that. So, um hopefully my participation in the teacher
065standards board, we can collaborate and discuss these issues and and also um I am on the Hawaii the HSTA joint special education um committee with the DOE and hopefully together we can bridge because that's my that's my priority is retaining and recruiting highly qualified teachers. Wow. And and recruiting teachers is difficult at best and I know housing's an issue. We have all of those challenges ahead of us. Um I just want to be sure that we don't know what the terminology is, leave kids behind as we're trying to fix something. I worry that we have a few years of kids that as we're changing our program or identifying it, we don't attend to those kids. we fix it for later kids, but those kids are kind of in a never neverland. Um the thoughts on
066that? Um in terms of um well if if we have a problem with a program the reertification say we may get a couple of kids or a couple of years where we're not getting a very good education and though we fix the problem for those kids it's a lifetime and we may miss them. Is there a way and you I don't expect an answer from you, but this is a concern I've had. Um thoughts on that. So I noticed something similar when my son was entering elementary and there was a shift to common core from HSSE to common core and you know the math the change in math acquisition um it put some students in a gap in in that adjustment period. And so, um, you know, that is a difficult, um, that's a difficult
067situation for those kids to be in, but hopefully, you know, with the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board and having highly qualified teachers in every classroom, um, no matter what the shift is, those qualified teachers will identify students through the help of the systems in the school. So, you know, to me, the most important thing is getting those teachers in the classroom because that's, like you said, the first line. That's how you're going to um identify the kids and make sure people don't fall through the gaps. And I would ask that you keep that in mind as we go through some of the stuff. Let's all chair. Thank you. Thank you. Uh so, Dale, you have been serving on the board for a while. Uh no, uh just two meetings so far. Just two meetings. Okay. So
068in that two meetings because I I noticed on your question number four about the board staff um and then not communicate or interact with members of the legislature or other entities without board knowledge or approval. Has there been a problem or something? No, I just um we I had a um orientation. So in my first orientation meeting that was one of the things that were told to me. So um that was the knowledge is um that we operate by sunshine. We don't um meet more than you know three people at a time. Well, two people can meet but not not three or more because of the appearance of um you discussing board things outside. Okay. But the interact with members of the legislature it says uh you wrote or other without board knowledge or approval.
069So you have to have approval to talk to us. I think if we're going in a group of three or more I see. Then you would need to Yeah. But if individually I could if two of us then we could. Okay. Okay. So you are you are referring to the actual board and not necessarily the actual the board staff. Yes. Oh I see. Okay. That clears it up. Uh what is the relationship with the um director of the of the teacher standard board? Um who's the head of the teacher standard board? Not the on the board, but the executive director. That executive director um Felicia. Yeah. Okay. Um Okay. No, I was just I didn't realize uh she was here. I just didn't see her on the testifiers list, so I was just a little
070bit and then I read that about your about the staff, so I wasn't sure who you were referring to when you talked about that. Um you um in question number five you you didn't really respond to the question about transparency and accountability. So, at every board meeting, um, executive director Villa Lobo, she shows us her meeting, um, and all of the things that she participates in and she aligns that with the standards that she's rated to. Um, so that's one area that we, um, are accountable and transparent with her on what she does. Um yeah and I think as I sit in on more meetings um then I will see the transparency and and work together with her more. Okay. And but you think that transparency and accountability is important. Yes. Right. Okay. Because Yeah.
071That's part of the board. And I know the board you have like 17 members on the board. So that's a large board. Um um so I'm not sure in your two meetings have you So we do have um committees. So I've gotten to know uh a little bit the um people in my two committees a little bit more but yes it is a larger board and we are meeting virtually still. So so I don't get to know I haven't gotten to know them yet that well. What kind of attendance has you've seen in the two month two times you've been in? So, I've seen um almost perfect attendance. Maybe um someone one person may be absent, but almost perfect attendance. Okay, good. Members, any other questions? I promise you I'll promise you. Okay, I'll just
072hold it. Okay, you got one more person you can lay it out on. I'm just going to wait because some of us got to go pickle ball after this. So, Oh, you playing pickle ball? Thank you very much. Appreciate your answers. Okay, we are on the last agenda item. Senator Favlla. Thank you. GM523 submitting for confirmation and consideration to the Hawaii Teacher Standard Board gven gubernatorial nominee Dandra Oak Zaki for a term to expire 6:30 2026. Testifying uh not Ted Ushiima, assistant superintendent um for Department of Education in support written only. Stan Thomas Shiro, principal testifying for Eva Elementary School in support. And with that, Dandra, would you like to give opening remarks? Aloha, Vice Chair Kim, and members of the committee. My name is Dandra Wasaki, and I want to thank you for this
073opportunity to seek confirmation to be a member of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. I have 23 years of teaching experience in various roles such as a classroom teacher, an inclusion teacher, um English language learner, teacher, an instructional coach. Um I've also been a member of the instructional leadership team, and I'm a current student services coordinator at my school. Okay. I I wish to serve as a member of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board because I want to support policies and standards that promote teaching excellence. Thank you. Senator Favlla, your question. Yeah, that's a nice background. Where is that? Thank you. Uh it's my daughter actually uh graduated uh two a year ago from Boston and so this is actually uh the background of the house that we rented. Oh, thank you. So, I took the picture.
074Yeah. Oh, I don't know. No question. Oh, you're cute. My son graduated out Boston as well. I don't recognize that, but it's very nice. Senator Richards, do you have anything I could ask questions while you No, go ahead. Yeah, thank you. Um, talk about the distance learning program you've been involved with. Sure. Um last year I was a um an instructional coach for the state distance learning program. It was a K to2 program that provided um distance and virtual learning for students across the state of Hawaii. And so I was the elementary coach. And so we serve students in kindergarten to fifth grade. And then we have a staff that delivers online instruction to students in elementary. And um was this born out of the the COVID era and carrying over? It did. it it
075was born out of that era out of need and then it did carry over to the next year and then this past year I wasn't with the program because I uh returned to my um current school in a different position but um they were able to serve students who were affected by the Maui fire and they were able to um bring aboard some of those students to provide them with education and I assume you've been listening to the conversation about um certification, reertification, attracting teachers, urban versus rural. Comments on any of that? Um I actually grew up on the island of Kauaii. I'm um I graduated I I attended elementary all the way to high school on Kauaii. So I understand um coming from a rural area. Um my parents were also educators on Kauaii.
076And so I think that it's important to um be able to provide those types of things for teachers out in those rural areas. I think um using virtual options could be something that, you know, we could utilize because it could reach a wider audience. Okay. Thank you. Thanks, Chair. Dandra, uh just a couple questions on your uh response. In question four, you do state that you expect staff to provide exceptionable exceptional customer service. Um, and your opinion are they? I think that they are um as as a classroom teacher before I had um experiences with the board. Um, you know, it was time to renew your license. It was time to turn in your paperwork. And I've always gotten prompt responses from the staff. um I if I had a question I was able to
077email and utilize the website and um get the information that I needed. Okay. You also state that regarding your goals and expectation for board staff, you noted that you hold high standards for professionalism, responsiveness, and accuracy when interacting with members of the legislative body and other entities. How do you ensure this is being uh adhered to? I think that um during our meetings we will share what um you know what what will be shared with the legislature. Um in addition I think that sharing of information and making sure that the information that we have that is accurate is going to be shared. So when you say share you mean not just share among the board members but shared with the staff as well. Shared with staff as well as as needed. And um like we
078we took a look at um some items at our last meeting. I'm sorry I only I only attended one meeting so far because I'm a brand new board member, but I was impressed at how we took a look at some of the items and made revisions to it to make sure that um what we were asking or what we were trying to communicate was clear and accurate. Okay, good. And finally, uh, what intrigued me is you stated a concern that since joining the board, the occurrence of teachers obtaining Hawaii teaching license but not actively teaching within the state. How that is how prevalent is that? Um, I think that it is it is something that's of a concern. I think as far as its prevalence, I need to learn a little bit more about it.
079Being a new board member, it's something that I just learned about and I was actually very surprised that there are teachers who do not teach in the state of Hawaii that hold a hold a Hawaii teaching license. And I believe very strongly that we need to make sure that we keep those teachers in the state of Hawaii and they that they serve our students in the state of Hawaii because we do hold them to high standards. I I agree with you. So I appreciate you bringing this up. Um, do you feel that a policy or statutory change is needed to ensure that we can, you know, I know it's not going to be a perfect record, but we certainly want it. Um, I think in order to help retain teachers in the state of Hawaii
080or maybe even recruit teachers to the state of Hawaii, it would be good to um ensure that if they have a state of Hawaii teaching license, they should be teaching in our state. Why why do you think that someone would go through the whole trouble of getting their teaching license and then not actively teach? They get another job, higher paying job or not in the area. It could be that um they might have been attracted to another job that is higher. Maybe it's the location they want to live in a different location. Um, I would have to learn more about why, you know, the causes of people getting a Hawaii teachers license and never using it in the state. I think, um, it was kind of surprising to me that so many people would have
081a Hawaii teachers license but not be here teaching. Well, I look forward to you taking the lead on this and if you can or the executive director can get back to us regarding what that numbers might be, um, might be illuminating. So, uh, appreciate that. members, any other questions of our number? Yeah, just are you you are you currently at Ever Elementary School student yet? No, I am. I am. Okay. Well, I'll just say that because before I got elected, I tell you the truth, I live Ever Beach all my life and I never heard of the Lincoln Day celebration, believe it or not. So, that's how Ever Beach and Eva was separated. Never knew until I came on elected official, but that's one of the most traditional programs that I ever been a part
082of. And you guys do a great job every year. So thank you for that. Appreciate it, chair. Thank you very much. Thank you. Members, we'll go into right into decision making. Uh recommend GM522 for the consideration confirmation of guminatorial nominee for the teacher standard board de Matsua to advise and consent. Any discussion? Hearing none. Chair votes I. Senator Ashimoto is excused. Senator Richard votes I. Senator Favlla. I chair, you have three in favor. Thank you very much. And for GM523 for the consideration confirmation to the Hawaii Teacher Standard Board, gumator nominee Dandra Oakaki, uh, advise and consent. Any discussion? Hearing none, chair votes I. Chair votes I. Senator Richard votes I. Senator Favlla I. Chair, you have three in favor. Motion is adopted. Thank you very much. And with that we are adjourned meeting. All
083right.