HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PSMTC 020 2016/08/16 (2014-2016) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
AND MASS TRANSIT
DATE: August 16, 2016 Re: Comm. No. 983
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kona, Hawai`i
TIME: 9:18 a.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. 983, reports as
follows:
Communication No. 983, transmitted by Mayor William P. Kenoi, dated July 25, 2016, requests review
and favorable recommendation of the nomination of Ms. Denise Laitinen of Council District 4 to the
County of Hawai`i Fire Commission.
After the close of public testimony, Deputy County Clerk, Jon Henricks, read Comm. No. 983 into the
record, preceding a motion made by Ms. Poindexter and seconded by Ms. David to approve the
nomination. Executive Assistant to Mayor Kenoi, Ms. Charmaine Shigemura, introduced and provided
background information on Nominee Laitinen, expressed the Mayor's support, and requested Council's
favorable action of this appointment.
Ms. Denise Laitinen is a 20-year resident of Hawai`i. She is the owner of DLC Hawai`i Media and
works as a writer, narrator, and instructor. From 2002-2014, Ms. Laitinen worked on contract as a
Firewise Communities Coordinator statewide. Ms. Laitinen is the current president of the Big Island
Press Club and volunteers with the American Red Cross. She is the past secretary of the Big Island
Wildfire Coordinating Group and the past secretary of Volunteer Organizations Archive in Disasters.
Ms. Laitinen states that she is not affiliated with any political party. If confirmed, she will serve a
vacant term to end on December 31, 2018.
Ms. Laitinen appeared in front of Your Committee with an opening statement expressing gratitude to
Ms. Shigemura for covering her background, adding her experience serving as Vice Chair on the Maui
Fire Commission holding the responsibility of hiring the Fire Chief. During discussion, Your
Committee expressed appreciation to Ms. Laitinen for her willingness to volunteer given her busy
schedule and extensive background with wildfire safety. Committee members requested Ms. Laitinen
expound on how her prior Maui Fire Commission experience will apply moving forward, if her
nomination is approved. Ms. Laitinen shared that process and necessary steps that were taken during the
selection of the Maui Fire Chief. She shared that she has not yet looked at the scope of duties and
policies for the County of Hawai`i Fire Commission, but instead intends to come in with an open mind
and readiness to learn and share mana`o. Your Committee agreed that Ms. Laitinen is not required to
appear at final confirmation before the full Council, but was extended the invitation to attended if so
desired.
PSMTC Report No.: 20
PSMTC-20 Page 2 August 16, 2016
Your Committee on Public Safety and Mass Transit is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Communication No. 983, and recommends confirmation of the appointment of Ms. Denise Laitinen
to the County of Hawai`i Fire Commission.
nm
AYES NOES ABS EX REC Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
EOFF x AND MASS TRANSIT
ILAGAN
X
KANUH
ANUHA X
ONISHI X DANNY PALE/, CHAIR
PALEKA X PSMT REPORT NO.: 20
POINDEXTER X ADOPTED: SEP 0 7 20(6'
WILLE X
AYES—Affirmative,NOES—Negative,ABS—Absent,EX—Excused Absence,REC-Recused