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. 468, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of MALIA K.H. AKUTAGAWA, ESQ. from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

Ms. Akutagawa is a graduate of Whitworth College, where she received her bachelor of arts degrees in biology and philosophy in 1993. She also attended the Minorities in Marine Science Undergraduate Program at Western Washington University. In 1997, Ms. Akutagawa received her juris doctorate from the William S. Richardson School of Law. While there, she earned an Environmental Law Certificate. In 2000, Ms. Akutagawa received a certificate from the Oceanic Institute in Marine Finfish Hatchery, Live Larval Feeds Culture, Nursery & Grow-out, and Broodstock Management.

Ms. Akutagawa was a cultural diversity advocate from 1991 through 1992. During the summer of 1992, Ms. Akutagawa was a research assistant with the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology in Kaneohe. She continued to work in the field of marine biology and environmental affairs. From 2000 to 2002, Ms. Akutagawa was a staff attorney with Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. She is currently the Director of the Molokai Rural Development Project.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Akutagawa has served on various boards and commissions. Most recently, Ms. Akutagawa was the Chair of the Molokai Planning Commission. This, along with her other experiences, will assist Ms. Akutagawa in taking a balanced and fair approach in terms of decision-making and arriving at mutually beneficial solutions for the community and between all parties involved.

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.