001Good afternoon. I would like to call the Senate Committee on Education to order. Today's Friday, April 17th. We are in conference room 229 and this hearing is being streamed live on YouTube. If we must end this hearing due to technical issues, the committee will reconvene on Monday, April 20th uh in conference room 229 and a public notice will be posted on the Hawaii State Legislature website. Uh due to number of measures, we have 14 uh confirmations today. uh testimony will be limited to one minute and uh and if technical issues arise during the Zoom testimony, we have several on Zoom, the committee may need to proceed to the next testifier and written testimony is on file. Um what we're going to do is I'm going to name the GM number and then I will take
002testimony for that particular GM. then I will call up the nominee and then the nominee will be allowed to to give opening remarks, whatever you want to say and then we'll open it up to questions from the members. So I just want to let you know if this is your first time coming to a confirmation it can be a little um confusing sometimes. So with that uh as I said we have 14. We're going to start off with GM 84 8004 submitting for consideration the confirmation to the board of regents of the University of Hawaii gum nominee Marie Lerta for a term to expire 6:30 2031. She's not new to the process. She has gone through um confirmation in other other positions uh throughout the years. Uh but we have for testifying uh Titan Sakata
003testifying in person. stand testimony and support. >> Thank you very much. Uh James Lean Jr. >> Yes, please come forward. >> Aloha. Good afternoon. >> I always see you on TV commercials. >> Okay, >> welcome. So, um, I'm here to advocate for your, uh, confirmation of Governor Green's appointment of Marie to the, uh, board of regents at our university. Uh now I could go on for at some length about Marie's character, intelligence and her exceptional work ethic, but I believe if you look at the biography, you can see that it speaks for itself. Um so her professional career uh started when she was a parallegal uh started as a parallegal at my office in 1994. And through her uh talent, her discipline and her dedication, she has steadily risen uh into positions of increasing importance
004and responsibility. her progression uh including her service at the Attorney General's office and her advancement into higher leadership positions demonstrates capability and the trust that others particularly her superiors have consistently placed in her uh in in her judgment and her performance. That is all I have to say. Thank you very much for hearing me. >> Thank you very much. >> Our next testifier is Kendrick Kang on Zoom. Kendrick, are you on Zoom? >> Not on Zoom, chair. >> Not on Zoom. Okay. And we have one, two, three, four, five, six, seven others that have sent in uh uh supportive testimony. Is there anyone else in this room would like to testify on this GM? If not, and before I call up Marie, I was remissed into saying that and this is for the public and
005for people who are not familiar with what the border regions do. The board of regions of the UN University of Hawaii is the governing body responsible for overall management and control of the university, which is established in state statute as the state's public system, public university system. So despite what they say that I control that I don't. Composed of 11 members, the board is appointed by the governor from candidate screen by the candidate advisory council and confirmed by the senate. The board exercises broad authority over the university's general fund general affairs, including setting policy, overseeing internal structure and operations, managing finances and property, approving contracts and expenditures, and delegating authority to the university president. as appropriate. Through this governance role, the board ensures the university fulfill its statewide mission while maintaining accountability, transparency, and effective
006administration under Hawaii Havi Revised Statute Chapter 304A. And with that, we want to call Miss Marie Lera. Marie, you're welcome to give opening remarks. Thank you very much. Thank you, Senator Kim. Good afternoon uh Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kedani and Senator Fukunaga. Thank you very much for the opportunity to be here this afternoon to be heard and uh to consider me for the position of regent at the university. Uh I just want to say give a very short opening remark by saying that uh this is actually a very optimal time that this opportunity has come to me because I am um at the end of my uh term at another board the labor appeals board. Oh good afternoon Senator the court. >> Good afternoon. >> Thank you for having me. uh finishing up my term
007of office there and so it would uh give me uh time to uh spend on the matters of the board of regents which is a place that I had always uh wanted to be part of. I wanted to be part of the solutions there and part of the stewardship of uh higher education for the people in Hawaii so that we can have a better place to live in and and build um a stronger citizenship. So thank you very much. Thank you very much. Members, we're open to questions. I can start if not have ready. Marie, um, and I know that you have served in many capacities and so you're very much qualified for this position as an outsider. And when I say outsider, I don't mean outsider of government or anything, but just not being
008on the board, not working at the university this time. Um what have been your thoughts about you know from the outside looking in about the border regions and the governance of the university? Do you have any thoughts about that? >> Yes. Um I've always thought that the university is um has a a very vast u broad um challenges facing them because it's the only you know high uh education institute in the state of Hawaii with the 10 campuses. So from uh what I've read on the news and what people I've talked to, friends and relatives who have attended the university, there are many many issues that that that the university has to face. But that overall our university is a top-notch university. Uh and that we need to try to sustain it and make it
009better so that uh we can attract um more people and we can also um increase funding to the university which especially at these difficult times where funds are getting cut that we have to find ways uh to make up for those funds. uh and this is a time of need and having been um somewhat tangentially associated with the university over the past 10 years because I have been guest lecturing at Shidler for the past 10 years uh in accounting and tax uh courses and the reason I did that in the first place is to get uh hands-on um feelings and sort of opinions from the students the younger generation as to um what the issues are today because I have been around the block so to speak. I've been working for nearly 30 years in
010state government alone. I felt I needed to uh really uh get the pulse of what's going on currently and what a better place or what better people to give me that indication than the students of today. And so throughout my uh times that I I do do the lecturing which is maybe I would say six or seven times a year uh I do get a lot of feedback from them as to the happenings of the university and I like to be part of the team the border regions to to offer solutions to um their many challenges that are ongoing. Just for um public's information, all the candidates up for confirmation today were sent uh questions approximately nine to 10 questions. They have answered it all except one has turned it in. And so the members
011all have this. So we're not going to go over some of the perunctry questions. So we may cover it or we may ask new questions just so you know. So members, any questions somewhere? >> Thank you. you know, I I appreciated your uh comments that you wanted to get a feel for what the students think in this kind of very challenging time and um through your experience at Shidler, what would you say are some of the issues that the students have identified? I think some of the students um are looking for uh tools to to be able to meet technological challenges like uh artificial intelligence perhaps that's been like the um the current thing the talk of the students these days and also um classrooms uh they complain about the classrooms being a rundown that
012I think in that area we we need to do we I'm speaking as if I'm already there but the university and it system there that we need to do better in upgrading some of the uh the structures that have um fallen apart and I think I've read also about the mold situation uh from the flooding uh all the all those things are ongoing and the students have um all you know expressed those concerns they are all very happy with the programs themselves but the the level of education the standard of education they're being given in the classroom. I think that um I don't hear too too many complaints about that at all. >> So, it sounds as though this is really a good time for us to be looking for ways to engage students in
013how to upgrade our facilities with their input and feedback. >> Yes, absolutely. Senator Fukuaga, thank you. And good afternoon, Senator Hashimoto. >> Some good. Okay. >> Members, any other questions? Senator, >> thank you for being here. Can you give me uh an example of what would be your innovative approach to generate funding for the university and leveraging real property? >> Well, I don't have any specific ideas, but I I certainly is an area where that I would uh be looking into if given the opportunity to do so. uh as well as looking to the uh foundation the fundraising arm of the university with respect to endowments uh and looking to the alumni in ramping up perhaps um donations uh towards the university as I have had some firsthand knowledge I I actually have uh peers
014and friends who um to donate uh to the university and set up scholarships and endowments especially I know in one of the areas that's a hot topic at the legislature is the the athletic um the um the uh name image um bill that is running through and getting uh looking for funding for that. Uh so those are some of the things that I think that I would be uh happy to be a part of. >> Thank you. I appreciate that because we have heard that before from previous nominees but I think we've had very little feedback in actuality. So, I would appreciate some feedback. >> Thank you, Senator Kedani. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you. Thank you, Marie. Thank you for being here and thank you for um your willingness to serve. Uh in
015your questionnaire, you had mentioned that the board sets policy and the president executes that. So, can you give a real example of when the board should step in if execution is failing? Well, I am not sure of what specific example I can give, but if I give if we give instructions to the the president or to execute and I see her as in the role of a chief executive officer uh and we are not satisfied with the results or have questions as to um maybe shortcomings, then I definitely think that we we take the time to find out what some of those challenges might be. Uh if if the reports that are given to us uh like pro progress reports are not adequate. I think we need to ask the right questions at the meetings
016and outside of the meetings and and get more information and data as to what's going on. I think it is our responsibility to go beyond being just a thinking tank be presented with what been presented and just you know accept that for what it is. If it looks like there are things that we we don't know about or that there are things that are missing, I think it is our job to make those inquiries and to get dig deeper to find out what the problem is. >> Thank you. And also in your questionnaire, you did mention uh progress reports and committee work. Uh so do you have any specific consequences like should well yeah do you have like what would that look like if as example the president gets too complacent or too passive um
017what does that fail to meet expectations look like and real consequences I think there are provisions in the bylaws that I've I have read through once uh that provide for um uh like a process to deal with uh those kinds of um discrepancies within the executive. >> Thank you. Thank you, Chair. >> Thank you, Senator. >> Senator Hashimoto, >> thanks for being here and thanks for your willingness to serve. I guess you know as as you know the university has a very large surplus in the tuition special fund. Um I guess going on to the border regions, what do you what do you think should happen with this large surplus? What is the timing of you know action that should be taken and you know how do we go forward from here? I I you
018probably are aware that there is a push and pull with the legislature that you know we're we're at a point where we're like okay if you're not going to spend it we're going to sweep it. Um, but I think there at some point there needs to be some action from the university to show where that money is going to go and it's going to be used adequately before we continue using more general funds. I just want to understand what would your thoughts be on more process-wise of how you would approach this kind of thing and you know just just some opinions that you might have on on the current dilemma that we were facing. Well, Senator Hashimoto, thank you for the question and um I think uh I would agree I would agree that if
019there are uh excess funds that the legislature should think about um uh what to do with those funds and as stewards of the public funds that the university gets because as uh the university gets funding, public funding from from the state as well as the federal government and Um and as part of our job is I think one of the main part of our jobs is to be good stewards of that public fund of that money and I don't know all the ins and outs and details of um uh their like operational their request for funding versus um the amount of the excess and uh but I do think that in theory in theory uh that if I were to look at these funds and this and we have an excess pot of funds that
020either the university should apply it towards uh what their needs might there might be other you like refurbishing buildings, construction, um supplementing uh lack of tuition, perhaps they're not collecting as much tuition now as they used to be. I read somewhere that the tuition amounts have dropped over the years. Uh if they need money, I think they would should look at their own part of money first. That's my thinking, Senator. So you so you think that the region should expeditiously or and the university should expeditiously come up with a plan? >> Yes. >> Okay. Because I think that's that's partly our concern is we've been waiting for some semblance of a plan and I think the university president asked us to give our time but I think when you're making budgetary decisions it's sometimes it's
021you have a time clock right 3 weeks we're going to turn into pumpkin and leave this building hopefully right and so I think at a certain point decisions have to be made but you know hopefully I think it's it should be collaborative I think hopefully the regions will put some pressure on on on leadership of the university to to really get those plans. You know, I I don't think I don't think it should be a surprise that we have a huge tuition balance rate. It's in excess of 200 million in excess. That's the surplus, right? That's a lot of money. Yet, you know, I think in some respects we we see some bills and and and I think it's very important. And so, I think it was worth the discussion. But, you know, you're she
022was asking $5 million in general funds for the NIL, which she could have easily easily use the the excess funds to to just fund the whole thing plus more, right? And so I don't I I think I think here at the you know at the legislature we're looking at all that and being like okay where's the values and the priorities of the university and are you just hoarding money for hoarding money sake right and so I hope regions understand that and we'll kind of dig in and just understand the timing of when we got to get this to the legislature so we can make appropriate decisions and I know you were in state government before so you know the timing of when things happen right >> yes fast and furious especially at this time and
023I think that that's a very reasonable look by the legislators Right. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Senator. >> So, to follow up on that, Marie, I mean, what comes first? Does the board have a plan and they tell the administration to execute or does the administration comes in and tell the board this is what we want to do? And because it seems that's the way it seems that it has been running. The board is sort of passive and and the administration is the one that directs it and and takes the lead. Should the board be more aggressive in that sense or be more proactive. >> Well, I feel what's >> your sense, >> Senator Kim, that the board the board has a hand in it. The board should be more proactive because we
024are as regions, we are supposed to be the stewards of the money. We are supposed to be directing directing the strategies uh and the policies for the university setting out the blueprint for them. So as as people who are you know the architects of how things are going to be I I believe it's our job uh to give them at least a layout of what it should look like and then we will work collaboratively with the um executive officer in this in this case the president of the university uh for her input as well and and then uh go forward with that >> because if you watch the hearings and the meetings and if you read the uh the minutes which I do you you you'll note that many times there's no discussion there's no
025challenging of of the issues it seems like they just go along and then many times they've said well our job is to hire and fire the president it's not to run the university and so you know we just they just sit back and go along however during confirmations we hear many of the statements but then in practice it's not going on so and we only get to confirm you once in your uh term which is five years and if you come up for reconfirmation then we get to hold you accountable and that's when we do hold you accountable um for your actions or non-actions. Uh let me ask you one more area. So just you know in the news today and I I don't like to follow this entity however uh there's a lawsuit about
026the border regions not being transparent about how the hiring went for the president and one of her appointees. Um and so your thoughts as far as you know transparency on the board should should you know these kinds of appointments be more transparent to the public and if there is a demand for the for the um minutes or for the records should should the regions give that information out to the media? Senator Kim, I read the same uh article briefly on civil beat I think it is uh about about this and uh my feel >> I always trust civil beat though just to say but >> I'm not endorsing them or not endorsing them but just say that's where I I read it briefly and uh uh they yes they asked for the minutes I think
027and they said that they they alleged that they weren't trying to overturn the decision but just wanted to see what the process was. Well, um, since this is an ongoing lawsuit, I and I don't know everything about it, but generally from the deer personnel point of view, things that are personnel related, especially things that's part of an ongoing litigation from the attorney point of view that we we really don't comment. We cannot without knowing all the facts and I haven't read everything and I was not part of that hiring process. On top of it, it was also done partially in executive session, which is a sacred session of uh them discussing things that uh do not need to be disclosed. And so I um think that I cannot really comment as to um the the
028uh >> I'm not asking you to comment on that. The whole reason there's this lawsuit is because they feel that the process wasn't transparent and the information wasn't made available. So that's why they're they're suing to get the information. >> I see. >> So I guess the the question is, you know, as a if if confirmed as a regent, will you will you advocate for more transparency in whatever it is that the board, you know, because if you're dealing with public monies, you're dealing with the public, that a lot of it needs to be transparent and executive session needs to be sacred in the sense that not everything should be going through executive session. only that which is considered like lawsuits or personnel issues and so forth. So >> yes, I would agree with that,
029Senator Kim. I think if it's not it's not something that's protected by law, the sunshine law some that things should be more transparent. In fact, um that's one of the issues that I uh I named as a key issue when I address the survey the 10 questions. I believe transparency more transparency is always better and in this case in the university so that people can see what's going on with the public funds uh and why decisions are made and what some of the circumstances might be. I mean those are things that are protected by law is another matter but if they're not then I think they should be transparent. >> I have shared this with past board members and I'll be happy to share it with the new board members. This was done in August
030of 2014, but it's so pertinent. It's governance for a new era, a blueprint for higher education trustees. And in this there's on page 13, it says trustees also need to design better presidential contracts and conduct more regular evaluations. Um they must hold presidents and senior administrators accountable for responding to information requests and for addressing the key goals and objectives that the board established each year. So, I think, you know, there's a lot of good things in here that I think the trustees really need to look at because you're there more than just hiring and firing the president and that just going along with whatever is brought before the board. Uh, and I know sometimes that they you get voluminous amount of um information brought to you just before you're required to to vote something up
031or down. So in that case, I hope that you folks will take the time to say, "Wait a minute. You need to bring this to us earlier and not, you know, the night before it's due." Then we don't have time to review it. So they need to do that. >> Yes, that's reasonable. Senator, I believe they give us material six days uh before a meeting and sometimes that's just not enough time. Maybe 60 days depending on what the issues might be. I would agree. >> Budget, right? >> Yes. Yes. >> Question. Any followup questions? If not, Marie, thank you very much for your willingness to serve. Thank you. Thank you, senators, and thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak with you. Thank you very much. >> And for your folks's information, uh today's
032meeting is the committee's recommendation. So, when we vote at the end and that then goes to the floor and then that's the final vote. So, this is not the final. This is just the committee's recommendation whether to advise your consent because I know in the past people thought this was it. >> Thank you for that clarification. And I keep telling my friends that this is not it yet. >> Thank you so much. Thank you. I appreciate being here. It's been 10 years since I've had to testify, so I'm a bit rusty, but I think I'm I had a good jump start today. Thank you so much. >> It's like riding a horse. GM805 uh submitting for con consideration and confirmation to the board of regents guminatorial nominee Keith Alamia for a term to expire 6:30
033uh 2023. Um, we have, let's see, Michael Yadaw. Aloha, Michael. >> Just really quickly, Senator, and thank you, chair. Thank you, Vice Chair Mikey Dao from the Stadium Authority. Um, we are in full support of Keith Amamia and his and really applaud his willingness to serve as a member of the board of regents. It helps us to have a member of the board of regents selfishly on the sports side that understands the stadium redevelopment project. He's a former member of the stadium authority and also is embedded in the Hawaii sports space and kind of knows what the university needs to succeed. But on the personal level, Mikeal as myself as a graduate of the University of Hawaii and as a lifelong resident of the state of Hawaii, I am really delighted that Keith is willing
034to serve and think of him very highly as a man of integrity and I trust him completely with our sacred university. Thank you for the opportunity. >> Thank you. See, we have Laurel Zorgo. Lauren Zorgo >> on Zoom. >> Not on Zoom. Chair. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh Brian Mick. >> Hello, Brian. >> Good afternoon, Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kadani, and committee members. Uh my name is Brian Mick. I am here in my personal capacity today. Um also a proud alumni of the university as well. Um, like Michael, I too am in strong support of Keith's appointment to the board of regents. Um, I happened to be a high school coach almost the exact same time as he was the executive director of uh, Hawaii High School Sports Association and was always impressed with the
035job he did, even though I never really got to meet him during that. Um, I did get to meet him seven years ago when um, I was approached to be a full-time volunteer on his campaign for mayors. He was considering running and got to meet him then obviously. Um, and what impressed me was when I I met him just a little couple weeks before he actually announced. Um, he didn't know a lot about the city and he'll tell you that when he was considering that. Um, what impressed me was how quickly he learned about the city and the process of that campaign. Um, starting with the departments and what they did and what they were supposed to be doing um, with their budgets really at the global level and then eventually drilling down into specific
036programs um, that he made part of his campaign that he wanted to see improved. Um, and the big thing though that really impressed me was he didn't just deal with it on paper. Um, he made a point and and those of us that had experience at the city like I did. We helped connect him to keep people in the city, civil servants who had been there for a long time because he wanted to hear their perspective on how the city was running and how it could be run better. Um and then after that he asked us to help identify community leaders um that interacted with the city and he made a point to this was during COVID so unfortunately he couldn't always meet them person to person but he would make a point of um
037arranging phone calls and talking to these people to get their perspectives and really when I read that civil beat article this morning I thought this is sort of exactly what I was trying to point out in my testimonies I think he'll do a real excellent job as a region of reaching out to the broader community and getting their input into the decisions that the regions need to make. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Dancing Honda. >> Okay. The weight of my heart is to bring a little more. >> I want one. >> Good afternoon. Aloha, Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kedani, members of the Senate Education Committee. My name is Dansen Honda, and I'm here today in strong support of the nomination of Kefamya to serve on the University of Hawaii Board of Regents. And um
038for my testimony, I want to briefly share a personal story of mine. Back when I was in high school, I had the opportunity and privilege to serve as au student representative on the Hawaii State Board of Education. And it was an incredible experience. But to be completely honest, um I struggled at first. I felt intimidated, out of place, and unsure of how to find my voice in rooms filled with experienced leaders. I wanted to do something, but I wasn't sure how. And during that time, Keith stepped in, not because he had to, but because that's who he is. He didn't see me as just a student. He saw potential, and he encouraged me to speak up, to be engaged, and to take my role seriously. And more importantly, he took action. He helped connect me
039with stakeholders, set up meetings, and supported the initiatives that I cared about. And because of that, I started to find my voice. And that made a lasting impact on me. Right. So after um after high school, I served um I I went to University of Hawaii at Monoa and I served on the student government there, ASU, as a student body treasurer. And even today after graduating, I regularly testify here at the state legislature and advocate on issues like education, housing, and some of you may know financial literacy. Yeah. But that confidence didn't come naturally. You know, it was built over time and it started with leaders like Keith who took the time to invest in me when I was still trying to figure things out. And you know, that's the kind of leadership he brings.
040And you know, the University of Hawaii has the responsibility not just to educate students, but to help develop future leaders as well, right? And having somebody like him on the board is a tremendous asset and I respect respectfully urge you to support his nomination. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you for bringing her starting her early because one day she'll tell the story how she sat on your lap before she became state center. My son sat on my lap at one point. So >> Oh, that's awesome. >> Hi. This is Amelia. >> Thank you. Say, see, just bring a little one in and we'll just melt. >> Okay, that's all the people that I have testifying in person. Is there anyone else here wishing to testify as nominee? If not, there are nine others
041all in support, by the way. Okay, with that I'm going to ask the nominee to come forth. >> Allah Keith, you are no stranger to most of us, but please open your mouth. >> Better if you had a baby. >> Oh, >> yours is growing, right? >> Like Micah, he'd be too big on my lap. >> My sons are about the same size. So anyway, uh good afternoon, Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kiridani, and committee members Hashimoto, the court, and Fukunaga. Uh my name is Keith Ameia, nominee for the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, and I'm seeking the nomination and selection as a regent because I feel I have the skill sets, background, and experience to be an effective regent. The bulk of my career has been centered around education and uplifting our younger generations.
042So I view this opportunity to serve on the regions as a way to continue service to the community and helping education and our youth throughout the state. Um I believe you all received a copy of my resume and my responses to Chair Kim's questionnaire. So I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have of me uh regarding any of those documents or anything else that you might want to ask. >> Thank you. I'm going to open up to member Senator Dors. Thank you, Keith, for uh continuing to put yourself out there to serve uh in a public capacity. So, we appreciate you. Um and thank you for the time that you had spent in my office. We had a lot of uh good discussions. Uh I agree with uh Mike Yado as far as
043your knowledge with regards to sports. So, I did want to bring up in our discussion too in my office NIL that's uh becoming a very huge topic. Uh now right now through previous hearings uh the AD's office um and the university I believe had said they had raised maybe about $1.5 million something like that. Um given your background and how much you have privately uh raised for sports, uh do you feel that the university could do better in its capacity to raise this kind of funds? Because when I mean if if these funds do become available for NIL purposes, are we just like creating a revolving door for the university to keep coming back to us and asking us for more money? Well, I know that uh there's still I I believe a pending bill
044to fund uh the university uh with NIL monies and I know it's a priority of the governor and some key legislators as well as sports fans across the state. Um and of course the uh athletic department. Um I know the value of NIL and the importance. Um myself along with several other business leaders in the community raised several hundred,000 towards uh NIL uh through private funding over the last three years. But having said that, there's a lot of competing needs out there. Uh whether it's throughout the University of Hawaii system, our public schools, um our Lahina wildfire victims who are still struggling, the Kona storm victims, uh those who are impacted by the reduction in federal funding. So I'm very sensitive to the competing needs out there. Um I support the funding of NIL this
045year, but I do think looking forward uh to next year and the years beyond um the university and the athletic program in particular uh needs to know that they can't count on the legislature to fund NIL every year. And we need to look at private private funding like um all of our counterparts throughout the country. uh have used for NIL funding. Um it's hard, it's not easy, but um it needs to be done. >> Yeah. Do you believe that the uh department, sorry, the university has basically exhausted all of its resources before coming to taxpayers and asking taxpayers for money? >> I don't know enough to fairly answer that question, but of course, the athletic department or any entity can always do more in terms of fundraising. And so you need to look at every
046possible uh avenue of fundraising. You need to look at in between and underneath uh sofa cushions. And um you know there there's I'm just going to rattle off off the top of my head. Uh I don't know where student activity fees uh are and and whether they have been reviewed and have been increased over the last several years. um ticket pricing, um sponsorships, uh it's not easy, but uh I feel that athletic programs have an advantage over other parts of the university and that I mean it's just frankly harder to fund for the biology department or ocean oceanography. Um sports has a built-in vehicle to raise money through selling tickets and sponsorships uh like I said and and and philanthropic donations. So uh we need to explore all those avenues before coming back to the
047legislature next year and beyond. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you chair. >> Just to follow up on that questioning you mentioned that um you can't keep coming in for NIL but they do keep coming in for shortfall for athletics. So we are already subsidizing the athletic program um every year and so this NIL would be on top of that. um which is why we have the bill with an endowment fund on it. So hopefully that is not going to be reoccurring. So you know how do we how do we manage that? Do we fund NIL and not fund the athletic department? >> So I view those issues differently. Um as you know Senator, the vast majority of division one programs uh uh run a deficit every year. And so you the University of Hawaii is
048no different than than than most athletic programs. So that that funding to make up the shortfall is is greatly needed and appreciated. Um but uh I I view that as a priority over NIL because I um if I had to choose covering a shortfall versus um extra money to athletes, I'm going to pick filling the shortfall. And then you mentioned that you weren't quite sure on the student athletic fees and whether it's been reviewed or raised and so forth. My understanding it hasn't been. However, um when we talk about that we have a tuition and fees surplus. So it's kind of hard to raise fees when you have a surplus, right? It's kind of hard to raise tuition when you have a surplus. And so we want to keep tuition low so our residents can
049afford higher education because across the country it's just skyrocketing and student loans are skyrocketing as well and therefore the value for higher education around the country has has diminished. So um yeah so as far as looking at how you know raise more fees but we have that surplus. So how do we justify that? >> So um I I heard Senator Hashimoto's question to nominee Laderta about the surplus and um I'm not as wellversed uh on that issue as I should be and I will be if I become a region but hopefully I'm presuming the president and her team are are working on a plan um and a suggestion or recommendation on how to deal with the surplus and how to spend it down and the timeline for spending it down. Now having said that uh
050the university is is uh basically a multi-billion dollar corporation and it's prudent for any large or small corporation to have some type of reserve in case of a rainy day. Now what that amount is I'm not sure >> 16%. >> Okay, >> it says that and and the surplus is is in excess of the 16%. Just for your information. So, we're not taking that that reserve away or the the bu the budget is not proposing that you take they take the 16%. >> Okay. Well, then that's good to know. I just wanted to make that point clear that obvious and I didn't I wasn't suggesting the legislature was going to >> Right. Just just to you know, it's hard to keep track of what's going on. And you know, the university has made a good
051point that we shouldn't be taking student tuition and putting it into the general fund. It should go for the university. But um you know you need to know that whenever they come and ask us for monies like five million for NIL it comes to the general fund. So any money that you that you ask for comes from the general fund. So in essence then you know if you have the surplus then the university should utilize it. I'm going to read one thing and then I'll turn it over. I know there's more questions. So going back to this governance for a new era. Uh there's a whole paragraphs on this. says trustees must be willing to withstand pressure to grow athletic programs that are a net drain on resources and they should ensure that salary contracts
052for coaches as reward uh academic performance first and athletic success second. So I just read that's part of the um overall governance because there is that pressure right that comes forth over and above the athlet um the uh academics. some questions. Senator Hashim. >> So, I guess uh thanks um Keith for being here. I guess I I'll kind of go off of the the continuation of the surplus. So, I guess where how do we ensure that we be more proactive in the future, right? I think it seems like in my mind it it was kind of a surprise at least to the legislature that there was a surplus. And I think what really bothered us was that it was there was really no action until the legislature brought this to the forefront. And so, you
053know, what's done is done. But I think, you know, all that we can do now is just ensure that the regents that we're putting on to the border regents, number one, know that this is happening and number two know how to react and on and how to make things better and and to make sure that we're spending our money in in the in the best way possible. So, I guess, you know, you you're very familiar. you were, you know, you served to to lead the border regions as staff before like so so I guess >> what what can we expect I guess from your role of giving advice to other regions on how do we be a little bit more proactive on big issues like a $200 million plus surplus above and beyond the border
054region's policy. Right. Well, um, if I'm lucky enough to be on a regent, um, you've made your concerns loud and clear and and we as as a board and the president and her administration needs to be much more proactive and communicate. I view the legislature as not an adversary but as a partner and as a partner we should discuss things before decisions are made or if an issue well before an issue arises so that we can game plan accordingly. And so um you know you you weren't aware of this uh high surplus issue. Um, now you're made aware. Me as a prospective regent uh has been made aware and and fairly new president Henso has been made made aware. And so I'm confident before next session there will be a game plan in place on
055how to deal with the existing surplus and how to deal with surpluses moving forward. >> And I understand it potentially is a a one-time thing. You know, I think when you talk to the university administration, they say it's co it was because the co monies and the maintenance of effort uh issues, but I guess when we now have this big surplus, what do we deal with things like NIL? Like is it is it smart that we're having a concurrent bill to ask for additional general funds and we're sitting on 200 million? I guess, you know, I just like to get your thoughts of priorities here and and you know, the view of the university in terms of being prudent. It's kind of we look at and being like okay like interesting that you come for
056both right you want your surplus plus you want additional funds and other bills so I just want to understand what as a region you know I think people got to steer the administration in the right direction what how would you steer steer the administration in this case >> so as I said earlier well if it comes down to a shortfall versus NIL I I I support helping cover the shortfall uh in terms of >> we're not we're not covering a shortfall Right. We we have a surplus. >> Well, in athletics, I I athletics uh you know regularly athletics, right? >> Yeah. Or >> slight profit or or breaking it. It's a struggle for for athletics, but you know, now that we know that the the surplus is an issue, um we're going to make absolutely
057sure as as a board and and work with the president and her team to come forward with a plan um on how to address the current surplus and how to deal with future situations ahead of time so that we're not being after the fact. But but in some respects, don't you think having to come in for a supplemental bill, if NIL is truly important, don't you think the border regions and the president should have just funded it fully and given athletics more money if it was a statement of values instead of just sitting on the surplus and then coming for general funds instead? >> I mean, that certainly was an option given the benefit of hindsight. >> But you don't but how do we move forward then with it? I view it as this may
058be the one-time pass the athletic department gets for NIL funding, but uh well, Chair Kim has been around the block and uh she was smart uh in the sense of creating an endowment so that she she knows what may happen next year and the year after that it'll be a recurring ask that once you give it, you have to keep giving it. And so um I don't see this becoming an issue moving forward after this year. The NIL request. >> Well, I don't think it's even about NIL. It is about the statement of how the university looks, views the legislature, right? In terms of how do you generate revenue, how do you spend your surplus? What is your priorities and your statement of values of what you're going to prioritize, right? I that's what it
059to me it's a broader issue. I think NIL is is top of mind. We can go into any other issue. We can look at student housing, right? Is that, you know, the amount that you're charging for student housing versus how much, you know, upkeep and maintenance that needs to go into it. I think there was a push from from the university saying they didn't want to float their own bonds. And that really frustrated us because we we're essentially saying raise the rates so it looks nice and we can fund those who can't afford it another way, but the university has been pushing back on the revenue bonds that we've been trying to float. And so to me it's a statement of how you're looking at your finances and how do we move forward right and
060I think we want the board who really understands all the intricacies and I you know I think you have the qualifications obviously in banking you you know you've done all the athletic stuff but I think we just want some asurances that you will bring that financial accountability and and part of it is political too and how you get some of these things moving but I think you know I I don't know what you what you think about that statement of values and where the university is at currently. So, here's what I think. You know, obviously, I wasn't involved in in past decisions or um I wasn't around when the surplus uh was created, but moving forward, we have a fairly new president who's by most accounts gotten off to a good start with the public
061and the legislature. You're going to get five new regions out of 11. And so, I view this as a a new beginning, if you will. And so, um I'm optimistic that these issues and concerns won't happen next year and beyond. >> Thank you, Chair. >> Before I call on Senator Fukumo, I have to set the record straight. This is not new and this surplus is not new. I've been aware of it for six years, maybe longer. So, it's not just during COVID because I've asked president, former president, why isn't he using this the surplus for promise program? Why isn't he using it for other things? And um and they haven't. So, it's not new. Uh I've been aware, this committee, new members been aware, but the border regions have been around and they should be
062aware because I'm very vocal about these things. Um but nothing have happened. So um yeah, just to to be aware that it's not one time, it's been a carryover year after year. And if you go and check the records, um it's fluctuated from 450 million to 300 million total, not in including the 16% um over so many years. So yeah, it's been there. >> So >> only now it comes to light because um the legislature saw it or the budget committee saw it that we need to balance the budget and here is excess funds and we're taking it from across all of the agencies and that is why it's come to light. >> Yeah. >> Just keep the recorded. >> Yeah. you know, in terms of um the uh system, I think in many respects
063for um the urban Honolulu communities, you know, Monoa in particular, we've seen such a huge influx of additional traffic coming into the region that most of the roadways are inadequate to handle. And so I'm kind of curious to see what your views on the community college system are and how you see you know distribution of um students and uh programs across the 10 campuses as something that you know can actually enhance the role of the university in attracting u more students. Yes, you you and I um talked about this earlier in the week and I agree with you that we should look at the other campuses as as resources to handle the overflow, if you will, at Monoa. West Oahu is a prime example. Um it's no secret that it's not being utilized to its
064capacity. Um and also u it's where it's Senator uh Senator Decort is uh from and that's where our the majority of our students are coming from. They're not coming from town. That's where the younger communities are. So there's a lot of logic in looking at utilizing the other campuses including West Oahu to take the strain off of Monoa. Well, I guess that would also require um the city and state to work closely together because the success of uh utilization of other campuses is probably going to be dependent on the availability of skyline and other kind of master transit opportunities. But I think the the real um challenge is going to be the extent to which the university encourages you know students to be able to take courses from multiple campuses which I think in the
065long term is going to be a real plus for the system. >> I agree with you and and you know in Hawaii we generally we don't like change and there's going to be a lot of push back. In fact, I'm sure people are yelling and screaming at me now for agreeing with you um about moving more uh students and classes to West Oahu, but we have to do it. Um as as you mentioned, um there's been a strain on infrastructure in town and the growth in students is in West Oahu. So, it only makes sense to have more classes out on that side. Well, I think for many communities, you know, Honolulu Community College will actually be a prime location once the um, you know, Dillingham corridor is completed and a lot of technology and
066advanced manufacturing uh, programs are located at HCC. So I think for all the campuses, you know, it it really would um uh take a different perspective on how the uh system might be able to support students who can then access multiple programs from a variety of different um locations. >> That's a good point. And and well, of course, now we have the advantage of hybrid l learning or distance learning. So you can sometimes go to class and sometimes uh you can stay at home or your apartment and learn. And I um I'm glad you brought up the point of Honolulu Community College when the rail is built, when transit orient development takes place around HCC. Um that could be a even more vibrant campus and like you I've been lucky enough to tour that campus
067and they're doing some amazing things. uh whether it's uh you know training airplane airplane mechanics or the the technology like their 3D printers it's phenomenal uh what Chancellor Kim is doing over there or Lee Lee Karenly sorry Karen >> well I think that's you know pretty much um a lot of the potential for future growth and um development and certainly uh transit oriented development in and around those neighborhoods would be a welcome boost. Thank you. >> Let me just add that for a long time now West Aahu and also my colleague here have been pushing that the campuses um we find that um at one time it was one of the fastest growing campus and then it started dwindling and when we visit the campuses the chancellor was not there and so there have been
068concerns about the leadership and uh so now it's moving back that we have different leadership that is taking it over but I That's really important and the regions have been made aware, past regions have been made aware about the concerns, but nothing was done. Again, there there's a tendency to to just go along with things and not make the changes. Um, so we we've been set back many many years when it comes to Western Oahu and having students on campus. a majority of the students are distant learning um at the campus and that's not bad but again you know I think your full experience comes from being on campus being at the college where you have social interaction and and those kinds of things that is part of the overall experience of college and life
069right so um I think that the region's got to be more aware of these kinds of things that are going on at the different campuses and that changes need to be advocated for >> um Senator um No, Senator Kani. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Chair. Um Keith, thank you for being willing to serve, but I think um as some of my colleagues have pointed out, for us, some of the concerns as we have visited campuses um particularly University of West Oahu um many times we went the chancellor wasn't there. There's no accountability. I don't know how the students feel about that that you know they're not getting maybe the bang for their buck because there's no administrative personnel for them to go to for help. So I think one of the things that I'd like
070you guys to focus on is to make sure that the people who are supposed to be there on campus touring school hours that they are there to guide the students and and you know answer the questions or fulfill the needs that they may have and this is just for not just today but tomorrow and you know provide the guidance that they need and um I'd like to um just ask that you consider that as you, you know, are confirmed that this is one of your goals that you guys are meeting the needs of the students. >> Sure. You you and your colleagues have made that loud and clear. And as I said earlier, we we have a a fairly new president. We're going to have a a new slate of regents. And so I'm committed
071along with Marie and and the new regions and the returning regions to be more proactive in our dialogue uh with the legislature and other stakeholders. >> Thank you. Nicole. >> Yes. Uh and thank you. I do remember in our conversation we did talk about West Oahu campus um and as it's continuing to grow and leadership is so important, right? And I'm a firm believer in on boots on the ground, right? inerson type learning and just setting that leadership style. Um I I would like to see more resources being poured into uh West Oahu. It's just a little bit more affordable out there. Uh parking I I I don't believe is being charged right now where up at uh Manoy it's about $200 plus dollars. So just those little things for students. Um I've noticed that
072the university also has um a growing number of students that are food insecure. Uh some studies have come out that students are not finding a stable place to live. Uh so I do think that if we can leverage that with offering uh another campus uh and another opportunity, it it will also uh relieve a lot of the traffic um from the students that are living out on West Oahu and then they're driving into Monoa. So um I believe that you have that innovative vision that will be able to kind of branch out. Um, like how you said, nobody likes change, but you know, if it relieves uh taxpayers and students from not having to pay so much, I don't see tuition getting any cheaper. Uh, so it's important that we look at all avenues. And,
073uh, uh, West Aahu is a beautiful campus and they're growing uh, and they have a lot of programs. They're getting a studio. They have a lot of, um, film industry programs that are happening, not to mention the agriculture. And I could go on and on about that campus, but I would like to continue to keep that on the table for you. >> Sure. Of course. >> Thank you, chair. >> I have two two more uh areas that I wanted to bring up and not just for you also for Marita that's sitting and listening. This is our last chance we get to talk with you folks for five years. So, we're taking advantage of it. Um, one of the areas is the CIP priorities. What is the CIP priorities for the university? And I'll give you
074examples. So we have Sinclair that's been um cost overruns delayed. It's still not up. It was supposed to be up last year. Costs have gone up and um I don't see the regions holding um them accountable for these cost overruns. Uh the other area is McCarthy Mall. McCarthy Mall started off being an integrate um uh irrigation project and then so the the person in charge, the vice president in charge decided they were going to improve McCarthy Mall, which is nice to have. But was it our priority? And as a result, it costs overruns. What? And nobody held that accountable. You know, who's being held accountable for those decisions? And uh and it's I can go on and on on all the different projects that's overrun or procurement issues that occurred. Um so I hope that
075you folks will be looking at those things and there's no excuse because we bring it up in these meetings. I bring it up and so it's not new information and if if the regions are paying attention which they should and there should be a representative from the border regions here at our meetings um because a lot of times bills that are introduced about the university it's sending a message that if we have to introduce bills then something is not being addressed right and I don't we don't want to introduce bills we don't want to tell you guys how to govern but if you're not going to be proactive and and govern the university then we we find ourselves in that awkward position because our constituents contact us. Uh the other area is uh on the
076uh tuitions. I mean not the tuitions, the scholarship. So every year the university has to send in a report to us on the scholarship. And uh it's interesting because we give out millions of dollars in scholarships um or the university gives out uh systemwide for the border regions. They give out $70 million in scholarships and tuition waiverss, $108 million in tuition waiverss and differentials, and another $29 million awarded um for full or partial tuition um to graduates assistants and so forth. But the interesting part about this is the nonresident tuition differentials. So, of the $108 million that is given out to non-resident waiverss and and scholarships, uh, we are told that is offset because we collect out of state tuition, which is fine. We collect the high tuition so that we can give it out.
077However, the amount of money we're collecting in out ofstate tuition is only 97.5 million and we're giving out 108 million in tuition waiverss. that that doesn't jive, right? And I don't know that even the university realized this until we pointed out to them. Something's wrong with this picture because if we're going to take care of people with waiverss, it should be our residents. It should be our our students and and yes, we want out of state, but at the same time, it should balance it. There shouldn't be a deficit there. So, I hope you folks will look at that, okay? because again these are funds going out and is it benefiting our local students and our community. So with that so if there no other questions thank you very much Keith. >> Thank you. >>
078We appreciate you folks listening. You'll be tested after. No >> thank you. >> Okay we are moving on to um GM and we appreciate your patience. Um, those of you who are waiting for your turn to come up, GM752 and this is submitting for consideration a confirmation to the Early Learning Board gubernatorial nominee Cheryl Kudamat, excuse me, for a term to expire 6:30 2029. And the early learning board is established within the department of education for administrative purposes is responsible for setting statewide early learning policy and overseeing the early childhood system from prenatal care to kindergarten entry composed of nine members appointed by the governor. The board directs the executive office of early learning uh and appoints the and evaluates its director provides guidance to improve the quality access and coordination of early learning programs
079across the state. So with that we have let's see who's here to testify you call our house chair Kim vice chair Kidani members of the committee Yuko Ariiko director of the executive office on early learning thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of nomination of shok kuryama to the early learning board. Miss Kuriamad has been a valuable member of the early learning board. She attends our meetings regularly and actively participates in discussions. As a director of a local preschool, her contributions help to ensure that the board's decisions are informed by the practical realities of community-based providers. Her membership also satisfies the statutory requirement that the board include a member with experience as a local provider of an early childhood education and development service. Uh I respectfully request your support of her nomination. Thank
080you. >> Thank you. >> Elaine Yamashita. >> Aloha from Maui. Uh aloha from Maui. Ela Yamashta. I'm a member of the early learning board and I stand on my testimony in support of Cheryl's um renomination. Mahalo. >> Thank you. That is all that we have that signed up to testify. Anyone here wishing to testify for this nominee? If not, we'll have the nominee come forward. Aloha and good afternoon, Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kidani, Senators, Fukunaga, the court, and Hashimoto. I'll try to be brief. Um, well, first of all, sorry. I should have made a field trip with some of my preschool kids. I I know next time just one lucky one. More than one. But I really, I must say, if I >> wanted twins, but she had twins. >> I must applaud. Thank you
081so much for bringing her it. I mean, I love that. I mean, just to see, you know, parents, you know, having their children be involved with their lives. Honestly, that's one of the things that, um, which is why I want to continue to serve on the board. Right now, at our preschool, we have quote unquote the COVID babies. So, it's different. It's different. Um, not just the children, but the parenting. So, the four and 5year-olds were the children that were conceived during CO. So, if you may, please be on the lookout, you know, talk to the dewy, the elementaryaries. These children are going on to kindergarten next year. I'm so curious to see how it'll be. But honestly, it's the parenting. And I believe I said this um the last time I was here that
082it's just the electronics in our lives today. We wish, and that's why I'm so glad and thankful to be a part of the board. So, I can speak up because I see this every day. I see parents who are dropping off their children on their phone. They don't even make an opportunity for to say hi to the teachers or sometimes maybe a goodbye to the kids because they're on their phone having a conversation. That was not how it was obviously when we grew up. It's hard to believe. I don't know if I luck it, but we've had our preschool for about 20 years now. Hard to believe. Hard to believe. And I can remember the first day. I like to say that I'm old school. I I do not have electronics in our school. I
083choose not to have iPads. 100% social interaction. I always tell my parents, you will get the academics per se. Of course, we have academics at our preschool, but you will get the academics when you go to the big school, when you go to kindergarten. In preschool, I really feel it's just the values, respecting adults. So I know s I can talk forever but if you want to visualize it in preschool think about it as planting the seeds in our children. I know there's a lot of money out there and actually thank you. There's actually been a lot of money invested from the federal and state government for preschool open doors. Thank you so much. That has brought in a lot more families. So I can I cannot thank you enough. Please continue to fund that
084because I would say only about half of our children still attend preschool. But you know what? There's actually some people that get funding, but they don't even attend. So that's that's a whole different issue. Whole different issue. Um, but there's still a lot of children out there, you know, they just choose the grandparents choose to watch our kids. But we have to educate the parents probably from prenatal the value of education especially today. But again, just thank you. Um, sorry I'm talking too long, I know, but just being on the board, I can give that as as Eco said, the day-to-day um, realities and I think I'm the only one that is a community-based uh, preschool director to give that input, which I think is invaluable to the board. >> Cheryl, thank you. You got
085me at your questionnaire. >> I especially enjoyed um, >> your number 4A. Uh, and I'm going to read out one of the lines in there. It says, "I hear from many teachers today of all levels that parents solely rely on teachers to teach their children." >> I've been saying that that, you know, now we have preschools at at three years old or two years old, drop the kids off and then pick them up when they're 12th grade. >> Yeah. Oh, no. Yeah. And and that is troubling because and we have um >> allowed this you enabled this right and I and I've said this to the DOE when they keep uh agreeing to take on things that are not uh academic related and that taking care of every other thing. And I said once once
086this is allowed and enabled then people feel that that it's okay. Right. Right. you know, and they they feel entitled to all of those things and that they don't have to wake up in the morning, take their kids. I have a school in my district where um advocates are saying, you know, um you can't close the school down. It's a small K through three um school u because the parents come home and they're sleeping, they're working at night, they're sleeping, and the kids go to school and they don't brush their teeth or wash, you know, their face and the teachers brush their hair for them. I said, "But that's not the job of the teachers." But that, like you said, it's this and once you do it, then you're expected to do it. And then
087we're seeing the rise of community schools, which says schools shouldn't just be there for academics. It should be for the whole child. Well, again, that's the families should be providing the care for the whole child. The schools should be focusing on academics. And that's the other problem that we're having, right? because the teachers shortage is not only because of the pay, it's the conditions and it's the responsibilities that they have >> and it's only growing today. >> So I I really enjoyed >> Thank you. >> come from this point of view that I think more and more we have to impress that the families need to be included. The parents need to be part of the child's welfare >> at the school as well as outside of the school. Yes. >> And it begins with
088you and >> yes it does. >> Okay. With that and the court. >> Yes. Thank you so much. Uh yeah, I was uh very intrigued by your questionnaire. Um the answer to question number eight, if reappointed, what would be your top priorities for the next term and what outcomes would you want uh the early learning system to achieve? And you highlighted as special needs to be that top priority amongst many I'm sure. Uh so are has the DOE been collaborative to work with you folks as far as data is concerned or um as how we can implement any kind of policies that would help to identify this a little bit early on. Um so uh I'll go ahead and have you answer what you believe to be the solution to that because I think we
089have to address it sooner rather than later now. >> Oh no, thank you. And if I may, I think I'd like to put on my preschool director hat more on this answer. I would say it's very inconsistent depending what school you're working with. Um, in terms of that, uh, obviously I'm not going to name names or anything, but I wish there was consistency in how we help the families. And in terms of special needs, I know there's a huge spectrum, right? It could be from speech delay all the way to autism. So, it's super huge. But what I can tell you and um what I've heard is that there is a limit per se or maybe each school may be limiting how many they take in which they I heard was is not what they're
090supposed to do. They should be able to service all children based on you know how many there are yeartoear. Uh if you're okay, first of all, if you're autism, for those that don't know, there's different federal funding and needs for that. So if you're autistic, wonderful, they're getting the help. But it's everyone below that ADHD, speech delay, um developmental delay. I feel we are getting no support becau because they are not how should I say uh they do not have enough qualifications to be accepted at this at the special um education degree level but yet they're not able to I would fully function in at a regular preschool setting and back in the day there was uh more state so I don't know the name of the early office that uh gave that assistance but
091basically there's no free support um anymore for the children. Um there's early learning I think up until 3 so sorry from 3 to 5 there's zero support for the families and most families they're not going to pay out of pocket. We they don't have the money for private therapy and if they can't get into special ed there's this huge number of children who are getting no support. So basically um they'll get co um I guess caught um when they go to kindergarten and maybe they'll get the support there if they don't fall through the cracks. >> Sorry it's sorry it's a difficult answer but I feel they're not getting the support. >> Thank you. And I do have a followup to that but thank you for answering but um in regards to the teacher shortage
092right so the special needs teacher is just a little bit different. um are you finding that to be a hard find or a hard recruit uh to recruit teachers? >> So for our preschool, we do not take in special needs um specifically and I do say that's because it is a you know you need special degree and certification for that. Um I believe that is probably one of the reasons why the DOE quote unquote you know bring you know I guess accepts a certain number. Um, yeah. I mean, I hate to say go. >> So, definitely staffing. Staffing. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, the ones that are not being accepted because they have special needs, where would they go? >> Um, so honestly, I I still accept them and we do our best. I actually uh
093hire more staff, you know, to support that. I can't say that all preschools would will do that um because it is more cost to us. Uh we do our best to work with the families That's all I can say and we just Yeah, we just do our best. >> Thank you. That's uh more than that's more than I can say for some, but I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. >> Here is your preschool. >> Oh, in Pearl City. >> In Pearl City. Yeah. You guys hear that? Public. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Senator Hashimoto. >> Thanks for being here and for your willingness to serve. You know, I I think >> I do want to bring up one thing. I know you know the staff at you know yoyo knows that this is something
094that really bothers me and I want you to to make sure that you have a role in this. So essentially, you know, we have preschool open doors and then we have our DOE public prek program, right? And I think what has really bothered me is the low enrollment in preschool open doors, right? And in terms of the taking advantage of all the funding that we have available and there's a big balance left and so last year we ended up I think or maybe two years ago we ended up expanding >> who who qualifies for preschool open doors. So so there's broader eligibility. But I think there to me eel has to be involved in the coordination of where are these people going right because there's two distinct qualifications right I think preschool scope indoors I
095think there's a broader application now we're targeting more middle class people we up the you know the qualifications of how much you can earn yell I think is or I think the prek I think is is a little bit lower uh in terms of what what for qualification in terms of income >> so I think in terms of what your role is at the board I would hope that you guys take a more you know hands-on approach in trying to direct where all these people are going because I think in the past essentially we've just left seats unfilled because we there is no coordinated effort on where these people should be going based on your income levels to ensure that all the seats are filled right so I think the lower income folks are going
096to one program even though really what we should be directing higher income people to a certain program and so I don't know what your thoughts are on this but I think to me like I if our goal really is to fill all the seats. I'm not sure we're there. And I think we need, you know, to me EOL should be like at the forefront of trying to lead to figure out, okay, we need to all work together. We at least should coordinate to make sure that all the seats are filled where I think we were having a really hard time spending down some of the funds. So, I don't know if you have any thoughts. I don't know, you know, you're on the ground, you know, you're seeing things firsthand. Um but I but I
097think that's that's something that I hope that you will take a look at if you haven't already and maybe you know discuss that with the board. >> Yeah. Uh yeah if I may say first of all I really love the EEO office and the board. I feel that we really work well together as a team uh like truly and um one thing that I actually I mentioned this maybe uh at the last meeting. So I do have my MBA with emphasis in marketing and I'm always trying to kind of interject in discussions that we really need to have more PSAs or more you know just advertisement because you're correct a lot of families for some reason or another do not know of this additional funding. I know when parents call our preschool I I give
098them everything you know here this is what's available. I I'm not saying that you cannot afford it but you know this is really for everyone. if you can apply and you can get something out of it, you know, good for you. I do love that that the EOEL created a website. So, kind of like a one-stop shop, so to speak, of all the information. So, that's, you know, kudos to them. So, again, to get more again, education for the families to know what I guess support services there are. Um and something that I remember I mentioned last time I was here. I really feel the best place that we can start is when the parents are, you know, pregnant, you know, in the offices. Um because, you know, maybe they hear it once, but maybe
099they have to hear it 10 times. Here, here's the pamphlets, you know, don't forget about, you know, uh child care, uh tuition. So, we just have to constantly maybe maybe we'll work, you know, together. Uh I know we have a doctor on the board, um a pediatrician. We just have to maybe work with the doctors and the hospital just everywhere just to get a simple brochure honestly to these mothers to these parents. This is what's available you know special services for developmental needs for tuition assistance for everything for everything. >> So those discussions haven't been happening. >> Um I've brought it up the discussions yes have been taking place. Um but for the actual uh I guess movement on it I I'll definitely follow up on it. Yeah, I know it's easier said than done,
100>> right? Obviously, right? Because you have freedom of choice, but I think you got to be strategic in a certain point to make sure the seats are filled. >> Yeah. >> Because at the end, if the seats are unfilled, it's just >> Yeah. But thank you. I'm happy to hear that. >> thank you, Senator Kona. >> Thank you. I have several questions. >> Sure. So, do you have any numbers on how many uh prek or um children are not attending prek of any kind? >> Oh, I apologize. I know Yuka is going to scold me not knowing the exact numbers, but I know it's only about 50% like 54% that attendish. Um but like I said, there could be other reasons why it's that low, you know, by choice. um not only by financial arena
101reason and such. Yeah, >> if you do come up with a number >> Oh, 100%. I can definitely get back with you. >> Um any stats on how prepared are those who do attend prek than those who do not once they get to >> at the board meetings I've attended, I've not heard of the stats, but that's a very good question. I'm actually curious about it myself. Yeah. So, thank you. We I can also get back with you on that. >> Um, >> sorry. >> Yeah. And you also discussed that the communication is inconsistent between uh the DOE and DHS. Do you know which office you're supposed to communicate with? >> Uh, specifically for which sub Oh, for the special need that you just made that comment that assistant. Well, for the special education that's
102really with the DOE more um but I'm talking more in terms of each school I feel that each school like from the principal and the um I guess the coordinators I feel are inconsistent from school to school. So some could have wonderful um I would say uh intake processes in in terms of evaluating children and then another school completely different. Completely different. >> Well, it' be interesting to get more information from you as to what the inconsistencies are and how we can help them share that. >> That would be great. Yes, because it should be consistent, right? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Thank you all the questions. Cheryl, thank you very much. Appreciate your time to serve. I know you have your hands full, but it's people like you that is there on the boots
103on the ground and you you get to see and hear and understand. So, thank you for >> and as always, you know, I'm sure I speak for everyone on the board. You can contact us anytime, not just every so many years. >> Okay. >> But then when we do, we get crit I get criticized like I'm trying to micromanage. >> No, no, not at all. Not at all. >> Can't win. I'm not I just can't win. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Okay, we are moving on to uh GM uh 744 and this is for consideration and confirmation uh for the national and community service uh community service gumator nominee Ann Marie Matsuzaki to a term to expire 6:30 2027 and I wasn't aware of this board in the past I am now
104and I know many people aren't. So, the Hawaii Commission for National and Community Service, established within the University of Hawaii for administrative purposes, is responsible for promoting volunteerism, community service, and civic engagement as tools for addressing statewide needs. Composed of at least nine members representing key sectors including education, business, labor, government, and youth. The commission develops a statewide service plan, administers grant programs, and serve as Hawaii's leazison to the national service initiatives. It plays a central role in coordinating public and private efforts, expanding community-based programs, supporting recruitment and training of volunteers, and ensuring ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements to strengthen service opportunities and community impact across the state. And so, Cheryl, um, anyone here wishing to testify? was submitted. Okay. And with that we I mean for Ann Marie um and if you
105would like to open welcome chair staff um thank you for this opportunity um to be able to or application to serve again. Um I have been on the board um for a few years now and um you it may sound very unfamiliar maybe under this name um but many know the um under Americanore. Some of you may also know some of the other organizations that support um um volunteerism and service in Hawaii including Teach for America um legal aid. We partner with legal have partnered with legal aid and some of you know um the youth conservation corps including um koopu havi um who has a national mar program. So um I'm >> all pardon me. >> I said thank you for enlighting us on all of that. It's helpful. >> Yeah, you're very welcome. I
106mean we all in Hawaii, we all in Hawaii um you know we whoever we call auntie and uncle even and we have no blood relations. These are usually with um people that we have relationships. There are neighbors or our friends, their teachers who volunteer after school. Um they're they're any community coach. So we all are um you know um impacted by people who volunteer whether it's official or unofficial. Um and so that's a lot of what um Americanore does in tries to do in very formal ways community um service and volunteerism because it really is a connective tissue of Hawaii in in my opinion. Um I think I I did share with you about some of the folks who were our um who are we work with. Um and do you have any questions for
107me? Because I I was listening to the other um earlier ones and I'm like I don't have that kind of detail. But I think we're more like the preschools. I mean a lot there's lots of need out there. Um, and we we don't always spend all of our money. A lot of it is out there beating the bushes. Um, and a lot of it is promoting. And we have a couple of members um me members on our commission that are specific around, you know, and and are experienced around marketing. And we know that's um some of our um important things is to get um the news out because there's so many great people out there doing um service and volunteering and they don't even know about the resources that are available to them. So, Kayala
108um our um our executive with um this um group um we had a little bit of a of stabilizing over the last maybe four, five years. Um, and we're in a position now where we're trying to grow and get out there putting in putting in procedures and processes um, so that we can have a lot of the same things you're talking about with earlier boards um, so that there is process, there's transparency, there's communication and there's um, information. So that's a lot of the work that we have been doing. >> Thank you very much. and Mar and Maria, I really appreciate your willing to volunteer. And I want you to know that all of the people that have come forward before us today and coming forward after you, all volunteers on these boards, they don't
109get paid for them. And so without all of the volunteers, I don't know that government could operate. So I don't really have any questions. I have two points I just want to state in your questionnaire. I loved it when we asked uh please describe the work you've done during your current term and contributions you believe you've made to the commission and you said studying the commission's work by doing the work. Amen. Just do the work. Right. I know I hear that from my my legislator from Y and I. You said just do your work. And then you go on to say in my opinion sometimes we get bogged down in process and it's important that we still need to continue to uphold our accountability. So, you know, great words. Uh, appreciate that. Uh, so with
110that, members, I'm open. Any questions? Senator Dort, >> I just wanted to say thank you so much for your willingness to serve. Um, I think we all have the like-minded approach to be boots on the ground, to be in the room, and to show leadership. Uh, uh, do as I do, not do as I say. And I think that's going to reflect in, uh, the changes and the shifts that need to take place moving forward, uh, in that in that group. So, thank you very much, >> members. Any other questions? Hearing none, thank you again. Have a great day. We are moving on to GM802 and this is submitting for consideration uh the confirmation through the board of directors of the research corporation the University of Hawaii known as RCU. Um David Carl for a
111term to expire 6:30 2029. And just a little bit about RC if you're not familiar with them. Uh the research corporation of the University of Hawaii is a public instrumentality attached to the University of Hawaii that supports and advances research training knowledge disseminated in public in to in the public interest governed by an eight member board of directors. The corporation operates under the board's general management and control with members drawn from the uh border regents, gubanatorial appointees representing research and business sectors and legislative appointees along with a non- voting exofficial uh research official. The board oversees RC broad and statutory authority to manage research activities, gifts, and coordinate research efforts that contribute to education, innovative and economic development across the state. And one of the key areas or the key things that the board um
112enjoys is they are exempt from procurement which often leads to some of the conflicts uh will probably come out in questions. And so with that uh we have Leonard Goa Jr. in support and Dylan Armstrong also in support of David Carl GM 802. Anybody else wishing to testify on this measure or on Zoom? Hearing none, we'll have um nominee, please. >> Aloha, Mr. Carl. >> Aloha. >> Good afternoon, >> Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kadani, members of Fukunaga Court, Hashimoto. Uh thank you very much for inviting me here today and spending time uh with all of these nominees. Um, I wanted to say that uh the the board of RCU uh consists of eight members as chair Kim just told us and they represent different sectors and the seat that I've been nominated for is a
113a seat that represents a university-based uh research scientist. And I would like to thank uh Governor Green for nominating me for this uh for this prestigious uh chair. And I I wanted to just uh briefly review um my uh experience and uh why I might be considered as a nominee for this position. I I started at the University of Hawaii as a faculty member in 1978. So I'm in my 49th year of service. I'm still an active faculty member. I've been conducting uh publicly funded and privately funded research all of my uh academic career. I've trained graduate students. I've taught formal classes. I've developed new curricula. And RC over the years has helped me by uh helping to procure uh resources and uh expend those resources for my research. I'm an oceanographer, so I do
114complicated research. I've been to Antarctica 23 times. And oftentimes when you do field research as I do, uh you need an organization like RCU that has these uh exemptions from procurement that the chair just mentioned. Uh if you're stuck in Ushua, Argentina, and you need to procure something that's vital for your research, uh it would be impractical to go through the current procurement uh procedures of the state of Hawaii. So RC has a important mission. um they have put research on the map in this state. They have helped with economic development uh workforce training and education and research. So thank you once again for uh for your efforts. I want to thank you also. Um and certainly u you know the whole intent when RC was um um imagined and part of it was that
115we wanted to be able to allow research uh to go forward and not be bogged down u by procurement and so in that sense um it serves it's been serving us well. Uh the issue that I will bring up is that from time to time RC has been used as a conduit to get around procurement um by the university. Uh which troubles troubles me troubles many of us. Uh a good example is uh RC was used to build West. Did you know that? >> Oh, I know that. Yes. I I should have said I' I've been a board member since 200 uh 2020 and I served as the chair of the board for one one term, one one year term. So yes, I'm I'm fully aware of the controversy over uh construction and uh that
116is in the past. I I would hope um the RC board, the current board and the recently uh um completed board members have been very cognizant of this issue with the construction and and uh it's not uh I don't I don't think you'll see a repeat of the West Oahu um debacle. >> Okay. But we've seen a repeat of something similar um that more recent is the early clinical trials that was run through RCU. Are you familiar with that? >> Yeah, from the medical school. >> Yes. No, from the um cancer center. >> Cancer center. >> Um and the concern there is that when I asked the question for to uh the vice president Jan Goa and I said how come they didn't do it? And um because when I asked RCU, I said, "So
117you did the procurement. So do you have a staff? Do you have people on the construction?" They said, "No." I said, "Where's the staff come from?" "Uh, so you use Django staff, uh's staff to to do all of this, but they're running it through RC." So you see the conflict there. and and the person that is the head of RC happens to be married to the vice president um that put the put the project at uh I mean at RC. >> Yeah, I didn't know about that part. I I I should say that the the current uh executive director, Lenny Gua, who uh just weighed in on my nomination, is um one of the most uh productive and um uh person of of very high integrity. and and I do know that they share a
118surname, but I didn't know any uh you know any kind of collusion between the two. >> Well, I'm not saying there is collusion, but I said the appearance is there because why would you run a a procurement that you more than capable of doing because obviously you're doing it, but you run it through RCU to get the procurement exemption and you know there in lies a concern. Um so I I hope that doesn't I mean like you said that it wouldn't happen again but it has happened again after our um after West Oahu. Uh the other area that happened is um are you familiar with the XMBA program the executive MBA program that was run through RC. >> Oh yeah I'm very familiar with it. >> Yeah. Well again that's an area of concern that
119RC is not an entity to give degrees and it shouldn't be run through RC. Right. Yeah, I I I agree with you on that one. >> Yeah, >> that should not have been run through. >> Exactly. And again, these things have come up. I've raised it and then luckily the some of the people there then nature didn't happen. The other one is all of the revolving accounts. You're familiar with that? >> They're no longer at the RC as you know, right? They've been returned to the university. >> But again, that that went on for years before it was fixed. So, I'm just hoping that the board be more proactive in looking at those kinds of things that, you know, it only gets fixed when we bring it up. And I only find out about it
120because somebody at the university calls me up and tells me these things, right? I have no other way of knowing it. So, there's complaints that come to me. I raise it and then sometimes it goes on deaf ears and nothing happens. But luckily, there have been good people there who recognizes this is a problem and they fixed it. So, I've just raised that because those are concerns that we have with RC. >> Okay, members, any questions? Senator Decord, >> thank you. Um, thank you very much again for your willingness to serve. I had brought this up during the info briefing in the beginning of the year where um your department had incurred some uh cyber attacks uh on very relevant information, social security numbers, those kinds of things. I have been um updated by your
121department that there have been serious measures that have been taken but maybe you can share with us uh a little bit on the record on um how this happened, how we are going to prevent it to happen and um have have we concerns about HIPPO violations, social security in this modern day of everybody getting scammed and those kinds of things. I'll go ahead and let you. >> Yeah, this is a terrible situation. When just to clarify, when you say my department, are you talking about the uh or RCA? >> The the research the cancer the >> the cancer yes that's not my department. Um I'm in the oceanography department of the school of ocean science and technology. I happen to know about the cancer center only through my volunteer work on the RCO board. But
122this is a terrible situation and I so I don't know how it happened and I don't know if there are uh um if there are uh policies in place today that would keep it from happening again. But um you know we live in a different world than when I started at as a faculty member at uh and and I think we we can't be vigilant enough on on uh private information like uh medical records and social social security numbers. >> RC is basically um the entity that the grants and monies come and they get into RC and then RC disperses it out um to the researchers and stuff like that. So, but they did do the construction which is the part that I was concerned about. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else wishing to ask
123questions? Senator. >> Yes. Kan. >> So, in question nine of the questionnaire, you stated a greater emphasis may need to be placed on public private research partnerships, translational science, engineering, and philanthropic. How do you plan to address this and what would be the role of the board? Yeah, I think you know RC is not a um a funding agency nor is it a uh an organization that proposes uh um uh projects for funding. But they do execute research projects and um I think there could be a a greater role played by the board for providing opportunities for faculty members to do these three things that I mentioned. um increase uh funding for research through public private partnerships, increase funding through research through philanthropy and increase uh um through translational research that could lead to things
124like patents or other intellectual property. And you know the the I I see RC as the as the collection of uh the research enterprise of the state. It's not just the University of Hawaii, even though that that is in the title. Other state agencies are eligible to use the services and expertise within the RC organization. So, we're really trying to um you know, build a a research enterprise where people work together and the sum is greater than the parts. And uh by doing these uh various um kind of non-traditional fundraising exercises, maybe we can raise the uh research funding from the 700 million a year that we have now, which is pretty phenomenal for a university the size of the University of Hawaii uh to over a billion dollars. That's our mark. That's our target
125per year. That that is peranum. >> Thank you. So that being said, then would you be willing to bring this up at the board to address this issue? Yes, we we um I I think I mean it's just my own personal view. We need to be more proactive in the community. Very few people in the community know what RC is as an entity, what its role is. A lot of people maybe in the legislature don't even know that and certainly in the general public. So, you know, um I I'm a a big advocate of uh um public education and um especially in the science area where taxpayers and voters have to go in and make decisions on uh issues of science and technology and they really have very little training or experience. I think we
126could be a conduit for that kind of training. >> Thank you. You have about 2,00 2,500 employees, right? That's right. RC. So, it's a big entity. It's a big organization >> and two of their members on the board is from the board of regents. And I say that because we have two new regions here which may not realize that um two of them do serve on the RCH board. >> Actually, we're honored to have the chair of the board of regents serving as the board uh representative on the board. We did revamp this board uh in past years. You had the president of the university sitting on the board and there was a huge conflict there on some of the decisions. Uh so that was changed and we had more uh uh border regions on
127the board and we cut that down to two because the influence shouldn't necessarily be them driving it. It should others driving it as well. But thank you for serving and your willingness to continue to serve. >> Thank you so much for your for your service. >> Thank you. Okay, we are now going on to our next GM which is still with the RCU is uh consideration and confirmation to uh RCU University of Hawaii gubernatorial nominee Michael Nedbong for a term to expire 6:30 2030 and uh he is on Zoom. Welcome. Uh I will ask first for um testimony. We have Leonard Goa speaking of Leonard Govea um in support not here and uh anyone else wishing to testify for this nominee hearing none. Uh Mr. Nepal welcome. >> Thank you. Thank you senators for the
128opportunity to apply for the nonuh research board position. Um and thank you for allowing me to testify over Zoom in consideration of my wife's medical issues today. So thank you. I appreciate that. Um my current position is with the MAI Ocean Engineering. I'm the VP of operations there. Um I've been involved with contracts administration, risk management, um business standards like ISO 90001, um cyber security, cyber security audits, um industrial security, um working with Department of Defense. So all this experience I think could be beneficial to the board. Um I'm kind of an outsider coming to uh I've been working in the private sector for the past 25 years. Um so there's I have a strong desire to learn more about the relationship with uh and RCU. Um I've been told it's a very complex relationship.
129So I'm more than willing to learn more about that. Um personally I feel research is very important to uh and the state. I've been involved in research practically my whole life ever since I graduated a BS in in University of Illinois then PhD with Texas A&M and now in the private sector. So I I'm really dedicated to research. Um and yeah I'm I'm happy to be here and I hope I can contribute if I am elected. So thank you. Thank >> thank you very much for willingness to serve. Um as uh brought up earlier that you know this is an important board. Uh you do enjoy procurement exemption which no one else does in the state and so there's a sometimes uh people look at you as a way of being a conduit to get
130around certain certain things like procurement which can be cumbersome for everybody else. And so you heard the concerns that I raised uh with the previous nominee. And so as a newcomer um you know how do you see this preventing from happening again as a board member these kinds of encroachments on uh your your uh procurement exemption and other other types of benefits that RC enjoys. >> Well, I certainly feel that um RCU and the executive director needs to be held accountable for uh his actions as well as the board. Um there needs to be clear communication um with uh the senators and the and the board. I don't currently understand how that communication works um and how they if if you hear something that is maybe non-compliant or of concern, how is that communication made
131to the board? So I think maybe that communication needs to be solidified um because that's really critical that the board understands um your concerns and of of course clarity is the other issue. There needs to be clear communication between the board members, board decisions, executive executive director decisions and you all. Lots of times the communication is done um through the legislature to the executive director, but I can see where many times it doesn't get down to the board. Uh these things do come up in hearings because we try to be transparent and sometimes it'll come through a resolution or a bill trying to make changes. For example, we had a uh bill that uh looked at the actual um statue that governs RC and over the years it's grown to include such things as construction
132which not intended to be construction construction but construction of research type things and not actually do the construction. It's hard to explain, but we tried to narrow it and we had a lot of push back. >> Um, push back from the university, push back from the executive director. I'm not sure if we had push back from some of the board members. Uh, but again, you know, I'm hoping that you as a board will look at the at the statue because you don't want to lose this exemption. you don't want because the other alternative is that well maybe we should um do away with RC and just give the exemption to uh and have them do all the research and do and do the do the funding and and give out the give out the um
133grants and so forth. So if you don't want that h to happen then I think that the board has to police itself police its executive director and maybe look at the statue and say how can we uh you know clean it up and how can we make it so that you know it is focused on research and training which is the intent and not all of this other stuff that is thrown in to your statue over the years because certain legislators felt that you know RC should take care of it. Um so yeah, that's that's the kind of leadership I hope that we'll get and you being a non uh um representative on the board that you know you'll be vocal about that. So look forward to having you on board. Members, any questions? Senator
134Sudan, I I guess and um going further, you stated that an important priority would be for RCU to plan for growth in research activities. How can you help the board accomplish this in the financing and workforce capacity? So the uh the board and executive director is currently going to be creating new goals for the next four years. Um and those goals should align with the research growth or lack thereof. They should be flexible in terms of how to manage the research coming in from extra mural activities and and organizations. So I think working for uh the company that I'm working for, MAI, we're constantly shifting goals and and moving with the um the current industry standards and the flow of flow of money coming out of the government out of Department of Defense for example.
135And so it's important to align your goals but not be so fixed on those goals that you can't move them as you see the funding change. So I think I can bring some expertise from the the sector I'm in to help align the goals that the executive director proposes and make suggestions thereof. >> Thank you. Uh finally just based on your statements in your questionnaire uh I believe that you'll make a good board member. uh one first thing you uh you said in this is first I would focus on mission alignment our ch authority should be exercised in ways that support its statutory purpose and public interest so I think that's important that public interest and the statutory purpose then you also say I would considered legal and ethical compliance essential um the board should
136ensure that RC maintains strong policies and practices relating to procurement contracts property personnel and financial management so kudos to you for that. Um and um you know we we look forward for for you being on the board. There are any other questions members? >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> We are then moving on to GM507. And this is for consideration and confirmation to the Hawaii Medical Education Council Gubinator Christopher Yulan for a term to expire 6:30 2029. And let me just give you a background about our Hawaii Medical Education Council uh often called HMEC established within the University of Hawaii is responsible for assessing and strengthening the state's health care workforce and training systems with a particular focus on graduate medical education. Uh they're composed of 13 members including university leadership, state health
137officials, gubernatorial appointees uh representing hospitals and health professions and federal sector and the public. The council conducts workforce and program analysis uh develop and implements funding strategies for healthc care training programs and provides recommendation to the legislature and the board of regents. And through its oversight role, HMBC works to ensure Hawaii has a well-trained, adequately funded health care work aligned with current and future statewide needs. Very important board. And so, um, I'm going to start off with testimony for Christopher Dr. Buen Hol. Welcome. >> Aloha, senators. Thank you. I am on Zoom and um, Jas stands on his testimony for all of the nominees. Thank you so much. >> Okay. So, you're going to you're testifying in all of the nominees today, right? So, I don't need to necessarily call you back on each one.
138Okay. Very good. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to testify on this measure? Uh we have a Let's see. Yeah. No one else signed up with none. Okay. We will welcome Christopher. Love Christopher. Senators, thank you for having me uh here today. I do have to preface that uh anything I say today is are of the views of my my own, not of the army, the department of war, triple army medical center, the defense health agency. Uh for the last year I've been the director detra director of medical education and designated institutional official uh for tripler AR tripler army medical center where we have 12 uh ACGMA accredited programs and a complement of 250 trainee which represents nearly half of the the graduate medical trainee in the state. Uh we work integrally with the uh health
139system within the state. Um our residents at Tripler rotate across the vast majority of the the hospitals um within the state to include um in the uh other islands. Um and we work we work together. Um our our problems that we face in this state are quite different than what my army colleagues face on the mainland and it is difficult to um ascertain the difficulties of living in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. and the challenges that we have are much more similar to our state um colleagues than my army colleagues on the mainland. So um thank you uh for having me here today. I'm happy to answer any questions. >> I'm just curious so on this board um how is your business um that that relates to military military medical? Um I mean is
140that a big a big part of the conversation or is it tend to be more sidelined? That's sideline that the military component has not come up. It's more of our shared um opportunities through medical education. Okay. >> Um as in we work together collaborating with our problems and often our solutions. Um so it it is very wonderful to be able to collaborate with our other members of the committee. >> That's so good to know. You know um I live in Moana Gardens. I have a lot of questions about the traffic from Tripleta but I know that's not your area. So, I don't have any medical questions for you. Members questions. Anybody has questions? No. Uh, you did a good job with your questionnaire and your answers. So, thank you very much. We appreciate your willingness
141to serve and we know you guys are busy. So, thank you. >> Thank you very much. Okay, we're going to move on uh on GM659 on Zoom relating uh consideration and confirmation for the medical education council for nominee Jude uh dosio for a term to expire 6:30 2029. Uh let's see any testifiers other than Dr. Buenjo. No. So, uh, with that, we're going to welcome, um, Jude on Zoom. >> Aloha. >> Oh, aloha committee. Thank you very much for uh, having me and uh, very very appreciative of of my first chance to serve over this past year. Um, kind of observing um, I've been under the mentorship of Lisa Rance who previously served. She's the executive director of the Hilo Bennett Medical Center Foundation. Um, we serve as the AEK area health education center here
142on >> Can you speak up just a little bit? There seems to be some rolling noise in our ceiling here. >> My apologies. Um, yeah, so we we serve as the area health education center here for Hawaii Island. Um, working islandwide uh to really grow our own and and really help um bolster our workforce pipeline. um community have been able to witness um and and kind of updated um on some of the things going on around the state um and really trying to uh contribute uh going forward, especially when it comes to best practices on our on our outer islands. Um here on Hawaii Island, everything is very spread out. Um there's a lot of rural communities that need uh additional uh support and resources. So, we try to leverage our our connections with other
143nonprofits, uh the DOE here on Hawaii Island. and then work closely with um all of the educational institutions uh from uh uh nursing and pharmacy uh w medex and um all of the health pathways and health academy programs uh within the high schools as well as our connection with Japome uh trickware um uh for that send over uh med students and jabsome over here for their rural rotations to try to really show them how rural medicine is and connect them with shadowing opportunities but happy to answer any questions and again it's an honor to um have the opportunity Okay. Uh June, we never got your questionnaire um response. So, um yeah, we would we would request if you could send that in and so um I think we know that that you're you're you know,
144you folks have a busy time. How does you folks meet quarterly? Is that correct? The board meets quarterly. >> Yes. Yes. Uh and I'm so sorry. I just want to make sure who uh I I sent it in. Uh I my apologies. I was just traveling. I sent it in before I left and and was contacted that need to send it in again. Sent it in two days ago. Um so I can just make sure. >> Okay. Yeah, we can >> needs to receive it. Yeah. >> Says they they never got it. So hopefully you can send that in. Um so when you folks meet, do you meet on on Zoom or do you meet in person? And where do you meet at? Uh the meetings are on Zoom. Uh they are there are uh
145sort of members there who meet in person. Uh we were planning last year but uh due to scheduling weren't able to have um our representatives here from Big Island come up uh to join in person but the the meetings that I've attended from this previous year were on Zoom. >> Okay. Thank you. Members, any questions? Questions? No questions. Okay. Well, thank you very much. Uh, next GM665 and this is for confirmation to the Hawaii Medical Education Council gumator nominee Lance Sagawa Seawa for a term to expire 6:30 2029 and we really appreciate your patience. I know it's been a long day. Uh, let's see. Other than Leo, uh, we have Edward Chu sending in support. Not here. Anyone else wishing to testify on GM665 hearing? None. Uh, Ed Lance, >> please. >> I know you've
146been waiting patiently. No, >> thank you. >> Good afternoon. >> You learned a lot though, right? >> I did. I did. It was actually I'm on vacation, so that's why I figured I must combine. We might learn on one of these other points. >> Well, thank you so much. Good afternoon, Sher Kim and Vice Chair Kedani, members of the education committee. I really appreciate this opportunity. uh when when I got the call um I felt it was a it was a good time for me to serve and to be at the table to address really crucial issues for the future of Hawaii, especially in the area of how are we going to take care of our our community today and tomorrow with physicians and all the challenges that come with it. And as a healthcare
147executive uh on Kauaii, I I see the issues uh daily and uh I've really appreciated uh my fellow council members. I think the the dialogue we've had over the past year has been very very effective and as you have uh read, I've identified some really critical um opportunities and solutions uh that we can continue to move forward on. So with that I am happy to entertain any questions. >> Thank you >> from your >> according to your questionnaire you do raised a concern about medical uh workforce housing on Kawaii. So that's something that um >> it's crucial. >> So I I've taken an active role as the CEO for the Kawaii region in developing workforce housing uh on the campus of Sama Mahalona. >> And so we are working on phase one. Our goal is
148to have uh 35 rental units uh at least part of them available by summer of 27 when the first group of uh residents come through as participants in the Kauaii base family practice residency program uh which is a partnership with the Jabsome HB and HHSC. >> I'm sure our president is very happy about that being from Kawaii. >> Yes. >> You hear that Ron? Yeah, but you know, I I think it serves as a as a great example of what we can do working together >> and it will make it uh so much better for the people that live the the employees that live there and for the residents as they become more embedded in the community and they don't have to worry about co you know the cost of living because we have housing
149that's going to be I think uh within range as as residents. So >> yeah, I I mean I think this body has uh looked at how to how to assist um our doctors and physicians and you know loan forgiveness and so forth. Um but we're still not producing enough coming out of Japan and we keep I know Senator Masumoto has talked about you know how many are we putting through and it's just not enough. But you do say that, you know, we need to address ways to encourage our local physicians whether they're trained on the mainland or at Jabson. And I think that's so true. And the number of I think >> doctors is what 80 that they produced. >> 80 which is >> Jabson. >> Yeah. Which is really, you know, a drop in
150the >> Well, you you know the legislature has been very supportive. you have been extremely supportive and I think the answer has to be um I think multiaceted and and there's a lot of issues you know around what causes someone to want going to medicine what what influences them as far as way they want to practice all these things have to be considered and and it's evolving right doctors today are not the same as doctors from yesterday and so we have to adapt and we have to support them as they you know continue their track. So, >> well, I I have a little story. I'm going to say this, but um so a friend a friend of mine, his son uh graduated from Ponoho, went off to got his bachelors and wanted to be a
151doctor, applied for uh um Medical School. He got rejected. >> He was accepted at Northwestern, which is a very tough school to get in and uh got his degree and today he came back and he's he's he's a physician at Kaiser. But you know these are the kinds of local people that we should the school should be accepting. They do accept a portion of out of state and it's sad that we have these qualified students who are forced to go to the mainland and and get their degree. I mean get their practice and and there and then come back. So this we can do better at Japan. So I'm sorry questions Senator Hashimoto. >> No I I I think thank you for serving. I think this is a very very important board. I I think
152you know the physician work um force shortage is severe in the state of Hawaii. I think >> you know I think Jabsum clearly knows my concern with you know some of the retention rates >> of um those who of their graduates. I think we're below 50%. I think you're very very lucky on Kawaii because you have this you know great pipeline. you're going to have some residents, you know, see programs on your island that hopefully will then >> force, you know, allow them to stay after their time doing residency because I think when you have residency >> um, you know, programs, then they're more likely to stay in that community. So, I I hope you can continue expanding. I hope it's just not your focus won't just be on Kawaii, but you'll look out for
153the rest of the state because I think, you know, we don't have the unfortunate part is some other places don't have the big funders like I think you're lucky to have on Kauaii, but I think we still have to replicate them. >> I agree. >> Um, and I don't know, I I think we have to take a deep dive. I know that the Jabsum has always told me that they I guess cannot or opposed to residency type from what islands you're from, but I think as a neighbor islander, there needs to be some higher emphasis placed on, hey, if you're a Maui person, you have Maui roots, we we want you to go back to that island. And and that should be what the medical school is for, right? Is to educate our own who
154are going to stay. not necessarily we're going to grow the best doctors and then they're going to go off to the mainland and never come back. I don't think that to me is the purpose of Jabsum. And so I hope hope that you can bring that Kawaii perspective because it's that's also you know Dr. Noi knows who she's going to be serving with you. She knows the Maui perspective and I think the neighbor islands are are dealing with a whole different ballgame than what Oahu deals with. So I it's a lot more of a question but I hope that I can get your commitment from you to to continue that focus. U because the pipeline is concerning to me and I think you you are you're definitely part of the solution in my mind. >>
155Your request is fair and I agree completely that our responsibility is to come up with statewide solutions uh not centralized in any one county and uh you know it is complex and I think we have the right people uh to be able to have the dialogue and to create some action. We can't just be talking about it. We've got to make things happen. So, >> thank you. Members, anybody else wish she just Thank you for your patient waiting so much. >> Okay, we are on uh GM666. Uh this is for consideration and confirmation uh for the Hawaii Medical Education Council Gubinatorial nominee uh Martina I'm sorry. Yeah, Martina Kamaka for term to expire 6:30 2029. And we have besides Dr. Bring uh Shoemaker Dr. Shoemaker, Samuel Shoemaker not here. Anyone else wishing to testify on
156this measure? Hearing none, we welcome um Miss Kamaka. Welcome. >> Aloha, Kako. Um mahalo for um inviting me here to be um part of this confirmation consideration for my membership, continued membership on this committee. Just want to say aloha to Senator um Kim who's the chair um the vice chair, Senator Kedani and the rest of the committee. I am a family physician um and I um have been on the committee. I represent uh being a physician um from the community. Although you will notice when you read what I submitted that I'm also an educator at Jabsum. Um which puts me in I think a pretty um interesting position to hear both the concerns of our students and our young residents and um as we look at trying to grow our workforce. I um was uh
157very involved with the founding of the Aoku Naoka, the Association of Native Hawaiian Physicians. And in that position, I also um get a chance to not only help train but listen to the concerns of our Kaukas that are out, especially in our rural communities trying to serve our people. So, um, anyway, I'm happy to address any questions that you may have for me today. >> Thank you very much. It's interesting that you served in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for a while. >> Yes, I did. I did my residency there and then I actually was in practice there for a couple of years before coming back home. >> Okay. Well, we're glad that you came back home. Um, also see that you graduate from upper campus kame. I say upper campus because I'm from lower campus. Michelle and
158I are from lower campus farington high school. So anyway, members, we're open to questions. Senator Hashimoto, >> thank you for for your willingness to serve. I just have a quick question. You know, I think hopefully in your time on this this this um council, you can really emphasize what it took for you to come back to Hawaii, right? You were practicing on the mainland and what are the elements that are needed to to make sure that we can have physicians return and make it lucrative and I think we need to be talking about that constantly to our students, right? So, so this is something that I'm very interested in. And so I actually had some some discussion with some of the the first year students at at the medical school and I was asking them
159I was like in your education are you talking about what it takes to be a doctor in Hawaii? You know what are the elements that are needed to make you successful here? And you know the unfortunate part and there were only first years but you know I talked to other people too that that are you know second and third and you know fourth years as well that that is not a part of the curriculum right now right and and I think as a school that you're in theory you're supposed to be serving Hawaii to to grow more doctors I think that needs to be embedded in the curriculum to make sure that we have the best shot of keeping these people here and they they understand what are the elements um that they will have
160and then we need to understand what are the elements that we need to start to implement to keep some of these medical students here. So, I hope that you know because you have that unique perspective, you can work on something like that and infuse that into what what you guys are trying to accomplish. But I don't know what I I I don't know what are the elements that you think are are are important or and what are the things that we should be knowing here at the legislature? >> Yeah. So, I think one of the things and that's uh why I'm zooming in today. I'm um actually here in Hilo trying to do recruitment of Hilo students into medicine. So I think one of the really important things we need to do and and you
161all mentioned it, other people have mentioned it is recruiting students from these communities because they're most likely to return to those communities. They understand the needs. They have that personal emotional connection um and that'll bring them home. Um, it was interesting that uh, Senator Kim mentioned me being in Lancaster and I have to tell you that I was living pretty comfortably in Lancaster. Um, I had a pretty low cost of living. I was making a very good salary. Um, and I knew when I came home that I was taking a cut in pay, but what brought me home was that um, sense of kana that I had and it was bothering me when I was in Pennsylvania that that I was native Hawaiian, I was female, I was a command school grad. What was I
162doing on the east coast? I needed to be home taking care of our people. So, I think um, one of the things we can do is make sure they come from connect communities. they're connected to, but also do a good job while they're in at JAMSOUM making sure that they're connected to our community in many ways so that it it so that we can actually um what could I say um h their heart will play a role in some of these decisions um not just not just the economics of it um I do think medical education we really we don't talk about the business of medicine. I think a lot of times they don't get that until they're in residence. It's interesting. Um recently we've had a little dilemma with um having like a scholarships
163that students could take but not they didn't quite understand the importance of debt. I think once you're once you're deciding to make your specialty decisions and where you're going to go practice, debt all of a sudden plays a big role. But as a first year and the second year, you're not really thinking what that means to be carrying this big debt and then having to pay what it means to start having to pay it back. Um the the medical curriculum is so full, but definitely the business of medicine is something that we maybe probably should be paying a little more attention to so that um we can have them thinking and planning and prepared um cuz they're Yeah. Anyway, >> great. Well, thank you. Thanks for your comments and hopefully you guys can work on
164all that. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay, we are moving on to GM67 and this is for the confirmation for nominee Colleen Ino Wam for a term to expire 6:30 2029. Uh, and anyone else here wishing to testify on GM667 hearing? None. We do have Colleen on Zoom. Colleen, welcome. Thank you. >> Aloha, Colleen. >> Hi. Thank you. As as far as first of all, I just want to say that this has been one of the most uh insightful and uh literally educational meetings I have attended. It's been great to listen to as far as all the other uh board nominations. Um I just want to say thank you for allowing me to be here. This is my renomination to the Hawaii Medical Education Council. I've really enjoyed being as far as the uh
165or one of the voices for as far as the neighbor islands, the rural areas, um the independent physicians, the um medical organizations, and also just being a physician executive leader and advocate. So, um again, thank you as far as for allowing me to be here. I'm honored. Uh, Colleen, when you're through serving on this board, would you like to volunteer for any of our boards that we had today? >> Yes. In fact, as far as I was thinking, oh, I'll be on the board of regents. That's very insightful. >> Good. >> Okay. We will look forward to seeing you in several years. And just to let you know, as far as pediatricians are told about the different uh as far as prek programs, but it is up to the prek programs to go ahead and
166go out to uh keep them up to date as to who they serve and uh as far as who they admit to their prek. So, and and then just to let you know as far as the cancer center and you and Jabson have gone ahead and gone through as far as the whole security uh webinar teaching as far as because of the breach. So, anyhow, we're trying our best to keep up to date. >> Well, thank you for um volunteering that information. Members are happy that you're listening and we didn't have to ask you those questions. You're proactive. So members, any questions um for Colleen? Hearing none. See what a great job you did. Your practice. No, >> no problem. >> Well, thank Enjoy the rest of your evening. Thank you for being so patient.
167>> No problem. Hope to see you again. >> Yes. Maybe for the early board learning um board. >> Okay. uh GM668 and this is for gumator nominee Tammy Hull for a term to expire 6:30 2022. Again, this is for the Y Medical Education Council and uh anyone else wishing to testify? If not, please to have you here, Tammy, in person. Thank you. Um, thank you um, Senator Chair Kim, uh, Vice Chair Kadani, and Senators Fukunaga, Deort, and Hashimoto. I didn't think I would have to testify like this to you in person. I thought I would just come and be educated during the session, but I hear from you. >> Um, I've um, this is my first nomination for the HMEC. Um, I am uh rather new to GME uh education. I've been at Queens for
168the past three years as the director of academic affairs and research. Um, prior to Queens, I was a RC employee, okay, >> at the University of Hawaii for 20 years and with um overseeing all the infrastructure grants at JABSUM. So this session today has been very very um enlightening to me and um very interesting. I I I've really enjoyed it. >> So you see the web, everybody's connected somehow in Hawaii, right? >> I I see the web. >> I know. So, um, and you know, part of wanting to serve, not only as my role as at Queens, but a actually as a member of the community born and raised here, it's um the physician shortage is really really I mean it hurt it hits all of us and even as um an employee of Queens,
169it's hard to get a doctor. So it it it hits all of us. Some I hear from my friends and family that especially to get a primary care physician, um there are waiting lists up to 6 months to a year and especially for my family on the neighbor island, it even gets worse. So access to physician care would be um you would have to fly to Oahu or um it's hard the waiting is hard and if you have serious health conditions and you know um there is no oncologist available on the big island or on Kauaii then the only access to care would be flying to Honolulu which is really hard on the patients. So, um, since I've been at Queens, we've tried really hard to open up some new residency and fellowship programs, um,
170to expand our, uh, residency and fellowship programs that are available to, um, our, you know, our students who are graduating. Um a lot of our students who graduate from JABSUM or even from um the continent end up going away because we don't have the residency and fellowship programs here in on in the state. They have no choice but to look for other programs to go to. So that's um of big concern. And um right now I'm working on a family medicine program on the Big Island in at North Hawaii which is very dear to my heart. So but um thank you for letting me volunteer on the HMAC um committee and um I ask if there's any questions I'd be happy to try to address. Well, we want to thank you for being willing to
171serve. Um, and it's good to have first perspective, which is what you bring to this board. Um, and you know, just listening to you as to how do we, you know, we talk about um, putting out more students and doctors from Japson, but then again, what are we doing as far as the residency programs? So, that has to come as well, right? Just put to the school and then they have to go away for residency. Similarly to the um um what is that the pharmacy school on the big island they have to do the residence on in Honolulu or there was not enough on the big island. So you know those kinds of things need to be thought out ahead of time. Um but sometimes that planning doesn't happen in the right order. >> Yes.
172Thank you. >> Members questions. >> Senator. >> Thank you. Thank you Tammy. I always love when uh nominees walk in not knowing what to expect. I feel the responses are going to be much more genuine. I'm so nervous. >> Not as though anything is prepared in advance, but thank you. Uh I did notice uh on your resume you had worked at Wai Comprehensive Health Center. >> Um actually I I haven't worked there, but what I'm doing right now is I'm helping the Wii Comp just got a new residency program of family medicine. So I'm ve I'm working very closely. I have the honor of working with Dr. Bradley and um Dr. Megan Martelli and Dr. Jessica Euan to help them with their resident rotations at Queens. So, I just right before I got uh came
173here, I had a meeting with um Jess, Dr. Euan and Dr. Martelli over the phone to try to place their um incoming new family medicine uh residents at Queens. So helping them to do the rotations, the inpatient rotations at Queens Manamana and Queens West Oahu. That's great. >> Speaking her language. >> Yes. Thank you. Oh my gosh. No, this is so great. Um and the reason that I mentioned that is um not only the residency at the Wai comp, but also we have a health learning lab in Wai High School. Um, so have you seen I guess components of what the comp is doing and how it might help other rural areas like for example you had mentioned uh North Hawaii Island. So is that I'm not sure if you're referring to Kona Hospital. um
174North Hawaii. This is the North Hawaii hospital that's um affiliated with Queens >> and um I have actually gone out to um the Wii High School when I was working at Jabsum and I was um pleased that we could donate a lot of our computers to the students at Wii. So a lot of our computers that are um that we had purchased through um grant funds that was used for maybe about 2 three years and um we had a lot of extra computers. So at that time Dr. Randy Wada was actually um a pediatric oncologist who was also serving as a mentor in Wai. So we went out one day to donate our uh computers and monitors. Yeah, we have a lot of um very modern technology out in our health learning lab. Um so
175thank you very much for being a part of uh building that which will also broaden out to the rest of the state. But um but thank you. Thank you for that. Thank you Chad. >> Welcome. Anybody else? That's fine. If not, see that wasn't too bad, right? >> Yeah. Thank you very much. >> Oh, thank you. Thank you. >> Okay, we are on GM669. Uh this is for confirmation for um Maryanne Spadaro Antonelli for a term to expire 6:30 2022. Uh do we have anyone else wishing to testify on this in this room? If not, Maryanne, welcome. Uh you need to you're on Zoom. I mean, you're on mute. So >> I see that. Okay. Can you hear me now? It helps to unmute right. Sorry. Um I appreciate your you're allowing me to attend
176by Zoom. I was with patients this morning expecting to come at one and then it got delayed so I I I still came by Zoom. So appreciate appearing before you. Um my uh uh continued um time on this board has been for uh two previous um iterations and I have represented federal healthc care. Now Dr. Yulan who was here earlier is uh a tripler um uh uh educator. Um I we we as as part of the VA and I'm representing the VA healthcare as well as uh federal health care is my role at the VA is to um approach and promote education uh for the VA as well as for the nation. As you may know the VA is the largest provider of graduate medical education in the nation. We have about 120,000 GME positions
177across the nation and we also do education for all almost all other health professions here in Hawaii. We have um physician residents, we have nurse residents, we have APRN residents, we have pharmacy residents, we have psychology interns and residents, social workers, and I'm aiology is the newest one on the block. I think that's a that's our VA people who are all civilians who by virtue of them training at the VA there is no commitment to only work within the VA system. So we have a very unique opportunity to show the islands as a place to work for all of these different professions and I we try to promote that as part of the orientation and what we're doing. So we allow our own paid trainees to do training on other islands too at our VA
178facilities. Now, we also sponsor uh residents in the uh tripler psych uh psychiatry, radiology, and internal medicine programs. Um and if we're asked, we can also add um a civilian. These are all civilian uh trainees within their programs. We can also add a family medicine resident if they chose. They they don't have the opportunity to do that. So, not only do we have people who are trained to take care of um for us in the VA veterans who are mostly local, some of whom were military who decided to stay. So, they're the kind of motivated person is what made them come back to Hawaii and stay here. This is a good impact on those residents and trainees. Um for the my other military connections and I don't know if Dr. Yulan is still there. One
179of the things I can see is military has a lot of physicians who retire and have an experience in Hawaii and I think this is another um very valuable um group of people. Now my first time in Hawaii was in the military. I was in the army in the 80s. Prior to that, I was in American Samoa for one year as a volunteer physician and then I went back to the east coast for a while and I of course came back here and I've been on back on the islands for over 25 years. Now it's 26 years I guess. So I am one of those returnees in the sense I wasn't born here but I'm a returner here and I love the islands and I love the people and I love the character and I
180try to in and in and uh tell all the the the other traineees during their um training to look at this. It may not be ivory tower medicine that you might see in Boston but boy would you be happy if you could learn to practice here and learn to work with the lovely people in Hawaii. They're wonderful patients. They're very um respectful and they're very they they are excellent to work with and I I you know that's what makes my practice a joy even within the VA. I had two patients today. I had to kind of keep them from hugging me too much in front of the residents. No, we do teaching at our at our clinics. Um and um we we host uh residents from the University of Hawaii and that's who the residents
181we had in clinic today were. We have medical students when they come through particularly for our nursing home or what we call a a community living center and that's a a big proportion. I yeah I forgot to mention we do we're a training site for the uh uh geriatrics program and they have um contributed to people staying on the island. So all of these um opportunities for us at federal healthcare to impact on the various trainees um is an excellent opportunity and I've enjoyed meeting the people on um on the um uh the council through the years and learning about the challenges so I can bring that back both to our leadership in the VA and to the committees and in the graduate medical education committees over at Tripler. I don't need to bring that
182to J graduate medical education committee that I'm a member of also at uh because they know it all already and I learn a lot from them too but we can share where the challenges are and how to fulfill it. I think one of the biggest challenges that we do have is uh despite people interested um and I'll just talk about graduate medical education and maybe internal medicine which is one of the bigger programs on the islands and as a former governor for the state of Hawaii for the American College of Physicians which is the internists uh professional society um one of the challenges we have is that residents um are seeing medicine too strongly from the inpatient component. So I'm very proud that uh now has a ambulatory or primary care internal medicine focus so
183that they can we can uh en encourage more to do primary care in the community because currently those residents I ask them when they come in we have two third-year residents in my clinic now and one is going to be a hospitalist staying on Hawaii that's nice and the other is going to go into a fellowship program and I suspect we'll lose that person from Hawaii eventually. So, um, to show our residents what it's like to practice in the community, it's a little scary. You know, maybe they don't really know how to take care of all of the patients in the uh, in a situation where it's not inpatient and you don't have 10 nurses around every bed and you don't have every specialist as your beck can call it. You have to make decisions.
184You have to be the doctor. And sometimes I think this is scary to the residents. So showing them how to practice medicine in a community either any of the VA clinics we have across the islands or even American Samoa or Guam and to see that these are not only um uh academically focused bring the quality up but also how you can really integrate into those communities and really appreciate being a doctor. It's almost like old-fashioned medicine, but it's really isn't because you got the at least in the VA, you have the support system of a huge federal uh group. Just so you know, I don't know if you know the vision mission of the VA is to train health care professionals for the VA and for the nation. So the VA is not not just
185focusing on our own workforce, but we want to train for the nation and in Hawaii, of course, is for Hawaii, too. So, I'm open to any questions you might have. Um, please feel free. >> Maryanne, thank you very much. Thank you for the insights you've given us. Uh, appreciate you coming back to the islands and practicing here and also bringing us the perspective um from the veterans point of view as well. Uh, so all of that and I really think we need to look at focusing on attracting uh retire retirees from the military military physicians. I don't think that's something that we really focused on, but you bring up bring up a good point and I think that's something that we'll we'll look forward to pursuing. So, with that, members, any questions? >> Senator Dort,
186>> I just wanted to make a comment. Uh, thank you for bringing up that idea of uh retirees. I I think that's a good conversation for us to put on the table and see where that goes. So, I really did like that um that idea. So, thank you for that. Thank you, Chair. >> Senator Kani, >> I think there can be some data collected on that. I'm sure we I know a lot of retirees who are here practicing. So we we can collect that. >> Yeah, maybe if you're of this group can collect that information and then share it with us, that would be helpful. >> Okay, Senator Kani, >> thank you. In question eight of the questionnaire, you stated an area of improvement is collating information on why providers leave Hawaii and seeing how
187the state can help address those challenges is important. um how soon can you accomplish this task and um make it available to our committee? >> Well, I don't think I'm in a position to be able to get that for you. Um but I have encouraged Kelly WY who has that uh that database uh to to try to help us know that um exactly how we can and whether or not we can fix what their issues are for leaving. as others have said, housing uh the cost of living for uh a lot of things here um are are kind of a little difficult but a lot difficult for the providers especially when they talk to their friends who are you know who have two or three very expensive cars and a very expensive well not as
188expensive as a Hawaii houses but it's a much larger house for the same cost in in another part of the the nation maybe even uh Lancaster, Pennsylvania but um so yeah there's this um for for the value of working here. This is what I love. I love working in Hawaii and um I'm not I I'm not complaining that I'm underpaid, but um I think um it's a struggle for those in private practice and um the health care systems now are hiring are, you know, uh being employers for the physicians. Whether that's what someone really wants to do or not, I think we have to look at that. Is your only opportunity to work in Hawaii to be an employed physician or do you want to try to do private practice and do we need to
189do more support for private practice which is tough um with the Medicare reimbursements etc. So, I think that we've got to look and see what it is they would like to do in Hawaii and why is it they couldn't and is it the social circumstances, the housing costs, the schooling costs, the travel costs just to go visit family is huge. So, it's not, as you all know, I'm not saying telling you anything new, but what is it that that might interfere with their lifestyle that they perceive they should have had or would like to have that might be easier on the mainland? Maybe there won't be as happy on the mainland. I think we have to look at the happiness part. We are a happy state. >> So, um collecting that is not easy. >>
190Members, any last questions? Hearing none. Thank you again. Uh we appreciate you willing to serve and look forward to seeing you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. Finally, last but not least, GM670, uh confirmation for Russell Wu. Uh let's see for a term to expire 6:30 2029 and we have in addition to Dr. Buenjo. Uh, Tiffany Yajima in support. Anyone else wishing to testify on this measure? Hearing none. Uh, Russell, we have you on Zoom. Yeah, we see you. >> Welcome. >> Aloha, Chair Kim. Can you guys hear me? Okay. >> Yes, I think so. >> Hopefully, you're not driving. >> Aloha, Chair Kim. And I am not. Uh, I appreciate your patience with me on Zoom. I'm traveling between locations. Um, >> Kim getting into an accident. No, not at all.
191I'm I'm parked. I've been parked for uh since 1:00. >> Oh gosh. Okay. >> No, it is okay. Uh so, aloha, Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kadani, and committee members. Um I uh like Tammy, I am actually a firsttime nominee, and this is my first experience with a hearing such as this. So, I have uh been very eye openening and learned a lot and very appreciative. Um just a little bit about myself. I'm I'm really honored to be considered to serve on the Hawaii Medical Education Council. Um I've been practicing as a pediatric surgeon here in Hawaii for 17 years. Pretty much my entire medical career has been here as an attending. And I had really the privilege to teach both medical students and residents and fellows here. Um, and over the last couple years, I've
192served in a dual role as the chief academic officer for Hawaii Pacific Health, coordinating much of their educational efforts for our four hospitals and clinics and the medical group. And then as an associate dean for clinical programs at HBH at the John Burn School of Medicine. Um, so I I'm very passionate about medical education. I think I've experienced uh firsthand some of the challenges of delivering uh highquality care to our people here in Hawaii. Um we've talked about the shortage and then there are certain focuses with respect to the physician shortage on our neighbor islands. And then we have short uh very kind of acute shortages in certain specialties and certain populations and locations. And um I've tried to really understand some of the factors around this. I do think medical education is one of
193the one major tool to address this and there are some other things that we can do. Um RHTP is one of the promising new resources that we have uh to help us. Uh but um not to say that we are any more or less but we do have unique challenges here with respect to our workforce and delivering care to our population um that we have to really dive into and tackle. So, I'm honored to serve and happy to answer any questions. >> Thank you so much. I appreciate you sending in your extensive uh resume. Uh very impressive. Um certainly uh enjoyed also reading your questionnaire. And one of the areas um that caught my eye on this is um where did it go? Okay. Sorry, I've got to find it. Members, you want to um
194questions? Anybody? >> Senator Kedani. >> Thank you. You stated that the graduate medical education programs are a solution to the issues affecting Hawaii. >> That's what I was going to do. >> Physician workforce and graduate medical education system. >> Question seven. >> How could the council accomplish this? So, um it's definitely one of the solutions. Uh graduate medical education, you know, we in the last few years, we've been lucky enough to um really be able to grow some new programs and start some new ones and and we're very excited. I've I've had the privilege to participate in the development of some of our new residencies and fellowships. So, I I think it it is one of the solutions. Um it's not always an easy one, though, and it's not it can't always be used. It's
195not the only one. One of the things I've realized and come to learn is um in some of the areas where we have the biggest need, you would think that starting a training program is a great solution. The hard part is when we have a big need, we also don't have all the teachers and we may not have the concentration of clinical patient volume to train to adequately train a skilled physician in the area. Um, so what HMEC can do is work with the our medical school, uh, work with the University of Hawaii and our health system and and provider partners to look at where are our needs and then triangulate that with how can we develop that cadre of skilled educators in those specific disciplines. Um, and sort of coordinate and coales the resources
196to achieve this. And being very open with you, there are some specialties that will we will never be able to train here. we we don't have um the infrastructure or patient volume uh to train that. So then we have to start thinking outside the boxes. Can we identify young people who may have may be going to medical school here and support them and identifying good places to train and help them inspire them to come back and serve this community and make it easy for them to come back and serve the community. I hope that answers your question. >> Thank you. That was the question seven that I was going to point out. But I I agree with you, you know, and I say this often is that we can't be all things to everybody and
197we're not able to train in every area. So we have to look at what is the greatest need and um how we can employ our resources uh for that. And so, you know, part of this is, you know, what is it can we do if GME is u one of the solutions? Um, you know, what is it that we at the legislature can also do to assist in these areas? So, I appreciate you bringing that up. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you. >> Hearing no others. Thank you so much and thank you for being so patient being the last one on and um hope you got something out of listening to everybody else uh here. Uh so with that I am going to go straight into decision- making members because the hour is late.
198Uh so um starting off with uh um GM 804 and GM 805. This is for consideration for Marie Lerta and for Keith Amamia to uh be confirmed for the board of regents of the University of Hawaii. So um members, do we have the voting sheets? You do. So the recommendation for GM 804 and for GM 805 is to advise and consent. I'm taking the two together so they're on the same board. So any discussion members, any questions? Uh I think the two of them will be a great addition to the board of regents and look forward to your vocal uh and uh oversight of the board. Uh we'll be watching and with that >> uh for the vote chair votes I >> madame vice chair >> for 804 >> 804 and 805 chair votes I
199vice chair votes I senator Fukunaga >> I senator Hashimoto >> I >> senator I >> measures are adopted chair >> thank you very much uh GM752 this is for consideration and confirmation for the early learning board uh for Cheryl Kudmat and uh The recommendation is that we advise and consent. Is any discussion? Hearing no discussion. Chair votes I. >> Five members present. Any objections? It's just adopted. >> Thank you for GM744. And this is for the commission for national and community service. Gumatorial nominee Marie Anne Machisaki for a term to expire 7 63027. Recommendation is to advise and consent. Any discussion hearing? None. Chair votes I >> 4744 advice and consent. Any objections? Any reservations? Measures adopted. >> Okay. And then I'm going to take the next uh all in one motion. And this is
200Oh, no. I'm sorry. I have two for the board of um directors of the research corporation of the University of Hawaii RC GM 802 and GM695 for David Carl and Michael Nedball. Recommendation is to advise and consent. Any discussion? Not chair votes. >> Five members present. Are any objections? Any reservations? measures adopted. And for the next eight of them that are on for the Hawaii Medical Education Council, we have first GM507, Christopher Yulan, uh GM659, uh Jude do I might say it do. Uh, and then 665 Lance Seagawa, 666, Martina Kamaka. GM667, Colleen Inoi Bomb, GM668 Tammy Ho, GM669, Maryanne Spadaro Antonelli, and finally GM670 for Russell Woo. Uh, recommendation is to advise and consent on all of these said GMs. Any discussion members? Hearing none. Chair votes. >> Chair votes side. Five members present.
201Any objections? Any reservations? Measures adopted. >> Okay. If not, thank you again all for being with us here. Thank you for re being willing to serve. We are adjourned. Have a good weekend.