Aloha Chair U'u Hodgins and Members of the GREAT Committee,
I testify in favor of Resolution 24-97 regarding the appointment of Lori Ann Tsuhako as Director of Human Concerns. Having collaborated with her and other staff at the Department of Housing and Human Concerns several years ago while I was one of the leadership board members of a well established nonprofit organization, I gained some privileged insights regarding her leadership. Our agency was able to resolve some issues to the benefit of both the County and our organization.
I also want to acknowledge that the recent approval of the Catholic Charities Hawai'i grant request regarding the Hale Pilina affordable rental housing project also established very positive relationships for us at the organization.
Ms. Tsuhako will be able to continue with the work she is familiar with and can concentrate more on some services that the department and the County ultimately can improve on or add as necessary. We have a proven candidate who I am confident will provide continued leadership in the areas that serve our elderly, immigrants, and others. I kindly ask for your full support.
I strongly urge you to pass resolutions 24-49 and 24-95.
Resolution 24-49 would permit two consecutive terms for sitting as an Maui Ethics Commissioner. This would help provide continuity for the Maui Ethics Commission. I am now coming to the end of my second consecutive term on the Honolulu Ethics Commission. The learning curve for new Commission members can be steep and having experienced Commission members is very worthwhile. Sometimes even finding an individual willing to serve as a commissioner can be a challenge. Therefore I urge you to pass this resolution.
Resolution 24-95 would provide for full-time staff for the Maui Ethics Commission. I have trouble fathoming how the Maui Ethics Commission functions without full time staff. For years the Honolulu Ethics Commission had just three full time staff and it was challenging for them to address the varied issues they confronted. We recently enlarged our staff to eleven full-time positions and they are still very busy. To train County employees on Ethics, to provide advice to County employees regarding ethical issues and to prosecute ethics violations takes dedicated staff. Again, I urge you to pass this resolution.
Having been an appointed Committee Secretary in the Office of Council Services from 2016-2024, I've had the opportunity to work with Director Tsuhako in several of the Committees I was assigned to while at OCS. During this time, I've witnessed her exemplary conduct in taking the highest level of care in decision-making when it comes to serving our community. Making herself available to each Councilmember and their staff whenever the need arose. She is collaborative and always seeks to be an asset whenever possible. She has well over three decades of expertise in the capacity of leading a Department full of caring and dedicated employees serving the needs of our people, in the trenches, boots on the ground, helping the most vulnerable - from early childhood to Kupuna care programs, to dignified transitioning of the unhoused, and complete understanding of the intricate process in collaborating with the many organizations who supplement assistance, efficiently seeking funding, administering, and overseeing the many grants and contracts required to keep these programs going. There isn't a more obvious and intelligent choice for the Director of Human Concerns. She is clear, concise, ethical, fair, and speaks with authority utilizing facts partnered with common sense and our core Hawaiian values, and treats everyone with respect, even when it's not reciprocated. She's unwavering in her professionalism and stays above the hypocrisy. She holds herself to a higher standard. A truly inspiring person and I consider her as one of the few Mana Wahine leading our County. Please support Lori Ann Tsuhako as the Mayor's nominee for the Director of Human Concerns.
Mahalo for your time and consideration,
Stacey Vinoray
Aloha Chair U'u Hodgins and Members of the GREAT Committee,
I testify in favor of Resolution 24-97 regarding the appointment of Lori Ann Tsuhako as Director of Human Concerns. Having collaborated with her and other staff at the Department of Housing and Human Concerns several years ago while I was one of the leadership board members of a well established nonprofit organization, I gained some privileged insights regarding her leadership. Our agency was able to resolve some issues to the benefit of both the County and our organization.
I also want to acknowledge that the recent approval of the Catholic Charities Hawai'i grant request regarding the Hale Pilina affordable rental housing project also established very positive relationships for us at the organization.
Ms. Tsuhako will be able to continue with the work she is familiar with and can concentrate more on some services that the department and the County ultimately can improve on or add as necessary. We have a proven candidate who I am confident will provide continued leadership in the areas that serve our elderly, immigrants, and others. I kindly ask for your full support.
Mahalo a malama,
Stephen Kealoha
I strongly urge you to pass resolutions 24-49 and 24-95.
Resolution 24-49 would permit two consecutive terms for sitting as an Maui Ethics Commissioner. This would help provide continuity for the Maui Ethics Commission. I am now coming to the end of my second consecutive term on the Honolulu Ethics Commission. The learning curve for new Commission members can be steep and having experienced Commission members is very worthwhile. Sometimes even finding an individual willing to serve as a commissioner can be a challenge. Therefore I urge you to pass this resolution.
Resolution 24-95 would provide for full-time staff for the Maui Ethics Commission. I have trouble fathoming how the Maui Ethics Commission functions without full time staff. For years the Honolulu Ethics Commission had just three full time staff and it was challenging for them to address the varied issues they confronted. We recently enlarged our staff to eleven full-time positions and they are still very busy. To train County employees on Ethics, to provide advice to County employees regarding ethical issues and to prosecute ethics violations takes dedicated staff. Again, I urge you to pass this resolution.
Sincerely,
Judge Victoria S. Marks (Ret.)
Aloha GREAT Committee,
Having been an appointed Committee Secretary in the Office of Council Services from 2016-2024, I've had the opportunity to work with Director Tsuhako in several of the Committees I was assigned to while at OCS. During this time, I've witnessed her exemplary conduct in taking the highest level of care in decision-making when it comes to serving our community. Making herself available to each Councilmember and their staff whenever the need arose. She is collaborative and always seeks to be an asset whenever possible. She has well over three decades of expertise in the capacity of leading a Department full of caring and dedicated employees serving the needs of our people, in the trenches, boots on the ground, helping the most vulnerable - from early childhood to Kupuna care programs, to dignified transitioning of the unhoused, and complete understanding of the intricate process in collaborating with the many organizations who supplement assistance, efficiently seeking funding, administering, and overseeing the many grants and contracts required to keep these programs going. There isn't a more obvious and intelligent choice for the Director of Human Concerns. She is clear, concise, ethical, fair, and speaks with authority utilizing facts partnered with common sense and our core Hawaiian values, and treats everyone with respect, even when it's not reciprocated. She's unwavering in her professionalism and stays above the hypocrisy. She holds herself to a higher standard. A truly inspiring person and I consider her as one of the few Mana Wahine leading our County. Please support Lori Ann Tsuhako as the Mayor's nominee for the Director of Human Concerns.
Mahalo for your time and consideration,
Stacey Vinoray