HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PSMTC 015 2016/02/02 (2014-2016) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
AND MASS TRANSIT
DATE: February 2, 2016 Re: Comm.No. 635
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 2:10 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Public Safety and Mass Transit,to which was referred Comm.No. 635,reports as follows:
Communication No. 635,transmitted by Mayor William P. Kenoi, dated January 8, 2016, requests review and
favorable recommendation of the nomination of Mr. Ralph Yawata of Council District 9 to the County of Hawai`i
Fire Commission.
After the close of public testimony, Deputy County Clerk, Jon Henricks, read Comm.No. 635 into the record,
preceding a motion made by Mr. Ilagan and seconded by Ms. Wille to approve the nomination. Executive
Assistant to Mayor Kenoi,Ms. Charmaine Shigemura, introduced and provided background information on
Nominee Yawata, expressed the Mayor's support, and requested Council's favorable action of this appointment.
Mr. Ralph Yawata is a 59-year resident of Hawai`i. He is presently employed by the Four Seasons Resort
Hualalai as a Safety Officer, Kapi`olani Community College as an EMS Assistant Instructor, and the Hawai`i
Respiratory Academy as a CDL Trainer. Mr. Yawata was an Assistant Chief with the Hawai`i Fire Department
before retiring in 2011 after 25 years of service. Mr.Yawata is a member of the American Heart Association
Basic Life Support Regional Faculty,the American Red Cross West Hawai`i Advisory Council, and the Hawai`i
Island Rural Health Association. He states that he is not affiliated with any political party. If confirmed,
Mr.Yawata will serve a vacant term to end on December 31,2019.
Mr. Yawata appeared in front of Your Committee,via videoconferencing from Waimea,with an opening
statement expressing gratitude for his nomination and taking this agenda item out of order due to his health issues.
There was minimal discussion by Your Committee. Ms. Wille expressed appreciation for Mr.Yawata's
willingness to serve and indicated that she is happy to see board and commission vacancies being filled. Your
Committee agreed that Mr. Yawata is not required to appear at final confirmation before the full Council.
Your Committee on Public Safety and Mass Transit is in accord with the purpose and intent of Communication
No. 635, and recommends confirmation of the appointment of Mr. Ralph Yawata to the County of Hawaii Fire
Commission.
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AYES NOES ABS EX REC Respectfully submitted,
DAX COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
DAVIDVID X AND MASS TRANSIT
EOFF X
ILAGAN X
KANUHA X riPiej
ONISHI X DANNY PALEKAr' • IR
PALEKA X PSMTC REPO O: 15
POINDEXTER X ADOPTED: hb 1 7 2015
WILLE X
AYES—Affirmative;NOES—Negative;ABS—Absent;EX—Excused Absence;REC-Recused