STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1354

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 531

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 531, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission

G.M. No. 531

NOA EMMETT ALULI, for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee, and finds Noa Emmett Aluli to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Dr. Aluli was submitted by three state agencies, one organization, and two individuals.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Dr. Aluli earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and did residency in Integrated Family Medicine at the University of Hawaii.  Prior to medical school, Dr. Aluli earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology/Chemistry from Marquette University.

     Dr. Aluli practices family and general medicine at the Molokai Family Health Center and is on the medical staff for Molokai General Hospital.  He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at the John A. Burns School of Medicine's Departments of Native Hawaiian Health and Family Practice & Community Health.  Dr. Aluli is a published author and serves on several boards and organizations, such as the Maui County Mayor's Council on Health, the Maui Health Care Initiative Task Force, and the American Liver Foundation, Hawaii Chapter's Medical Advisory Committee.  However, it is Dr. Aluli's activism and passion for the island of Kahoolawe and native Hawaiian culture that makes him exceptionally qualified to serve on the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission.

     Dr. Aluli was one of the Kahoolawe Nine who protested the United States Navy's use of the island for military training and target practice.  He has been instrumental in initiating the restoration of Kahoolawe and was one of the original members of the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission.  He is a leading expert on Kahoolawe and is one of the founding members of the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana organization, working to ensure the safe use of and access to the island for traditional and cultural native Hawaiian practices.  He has also been a member or founder of organizations such as the Molokai Advisory Council on Burials, Na Puuwai, Pele Defense Fund, Ka Ohana O Kalae, Protect Kahoolawe Fund, Hui Ala Loa, Kahoolawe Island Conveyance Commission, and Molokai Planning Commission.

     Dr. Aluli's tremendous dedication and efforts to further the restoration of Kahoolawe, better the lives of native Hawaiians, promote native Hawaiian culture and practices, and serve the community as a physician, leader, and activist make him one of the most highly qualified and best suited nominees to serve on the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, 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.

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

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair