Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 247, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the resume and statement submitted by the nominee, and finds the nominee to have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to the Island Burial Council for the Island of Oahu.

Your Committee received testimony in support of CAROLYN KEHAUNANI ABAD from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the `Ilioulaokalani Coalition, the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, and five individuals.

Ms. Abad has approximately twenty years of experience as an educator and anthropologist. She is currently a Hawaiian Culture Specialist for Ho`okahua at Kamehameha Schools. She is proficient in reading, writing, and speaking the Hawaiian language and is experienced in visiting and working at Hawaiian cultural sites and conducting burials. Ms. Abad was the Ewa regional representative of the Hawaii Island Burial Council, Island of Oahu from 1994 to 2000.

Ms. Abad is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and received Bachelor of Art degrees in education and anthropology from the University of Hawaii. Ms. Abad also earned both a masters degree in anthropology and a doctorate in anthropology from the University of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Abad's academic training, personal commitment, and years of experience in working on burial cases make her a great asset to the Hawaii Burial Council for the Island of Oahu.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.