STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3132

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 425

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 425, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Island Burial Council, Islands of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau

G.M. No. 425

CLISSON KUNANE AIPOALANI, for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statements of the nominee, and finds Clisson Kunane Aipoalani to have the necessary qualifications for the Island Burial Council for the Islands of Kauai and Niihau.

     Testimony in support of the nomination was submitted by one state agency, one county Mayor, and one individual.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Mr. Aipoalani is presently the Chair of the Island Burial Council for the Islands of Kauai and Niihau, and represents the geographic area of Waimea.  He is presently employed as a Transportation Data Entry Clerk for the ITT Corporation at the Barking Sands Pacific Missile Range Facility.  Mr. Aipoalani has served as a Kauai Planning Commissioner, and is a current Board member of the Kekaha Federal Credit Union and Na Papa O Mana Council.  He was an ITT Employee of the Year nominee in 2003, a recipient of the 2003 Award of Excellence, and is a music entertainer.

     Mr. Aipoalani is a well-respected member of the community.  As Chair of the Island Burial Council for the Islands of Kauai and Niihau, he has shown poise and confidence in handling emotional and hostile crowds.  He has a compassionate and well-balanced approach in working with burial plans.  Mr. Aipoalani is conscientious of how the Council's decisions will affect future generations, and aware of the legacy left by kupuna.  Mr. Aipoalani is committed to the reinternment of iwi kupuna that are in storage.  He volunteered to take those that belonged in his district and, after gaining approval from the State Historic Preservation Division, had them buried in his ohana's burial site at Poohonu in Polihale.  Your Committee appreciates Mr. Aipoalani's commitment, and looks forward to his continued contributions to the Island Burial Council.

     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