STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3556

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 271, 528

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 271 and 528, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Island Burial Council, Island of Hawai'i

G.M. No. 271	KU H. KAHAKALAU, PHD, for a term to expire 6-30-2012; and
G.M. No. 528	GENE KALEOLANI LESLIE, for a term to expire 6-30-2012,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds Ku H. Kahakalau and Gene Kaleolani Leslie to have the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Island Burial Council, Island of Hawai‘i.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Dr. Kahakalau was submitted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawai‘i Nei, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, and three interested individuals.

     Dr. Kahakalau is currently a member of the Island Burial Council for the Island of Hawai‘i.  She received her Associate's degree in Liberal Arts from Kapi‘olani Community College, her Bachelor's degree in Education and Professional Development degree in Secondary Education Hawaiian Language, and her Master's degree in European Language and Literature from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and her Doctoral degree in Indigenous Education from The Union Institute and University.

     Dr. Kahakalau is the founder and president of Kanu O Ka Aina Charter School.  She has an exemplary background in Hawaiian Culture and is a Native Hawaiian practitioner, educator, researcher, songwriter, and expert in Hawaiian language.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Gene Kaleolani Leslie was submitted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Senator of the First Senate District of the State of Hawaii, Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu, Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, and seven interested individuals.

     Mr. Leslie received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University.  He is a member of the American Institute of Design and the owner and floral designer of Flowers for Mama.  Mr. Leslie is a member of numerous Hawaiian Civic Clubs and a board member of Leahi Hospital, Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii, and Hawaii Community Foundation.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

JILL TOKUDA, Chair