STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3159

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 116

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development and Technology, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 116 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SELECTION OF DANIEL KAHIKINA AKAKA TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE ALOHA ORDER OF MERIT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to approve the selection of Daniel Kahikina Akaka to be inducted into the Aloha Order of Merit.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kewalo Hawaiian Homestead Community Association, Waianae Kai Homestead Community Association, Waiehu Kou IV Homestead Association, Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly, Sovereign Mokupuni Council O Kauai, Sovereign Mokupuni Council O Maui, Sovereign Mokupuni Council O Molokai, Sovereign Mokupuni Council O Oahu, and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that during his long and distinguished career in public service, Daniel Kahikina Akaka has demonstrated the Aloha Spirit in his commitment to bettering the State.  His service to the nation in the United States Army, his service to the children of Hawaii as an educator, his efforts to abate poverty as the Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, and his unwavering devotion to the people of Hawaii as a member of the United States Congress, have brought honor to Mr. Akaka, his family, and the people of the State of Hawaii.  Your Committee further finds that as the first Senator of Native Hawaiian ancestry to serve in the United States Senate, Senator Akaka has integrated Native Hawaiian values at the highest level of government and consistently advocated for justice for Native Hawaiians.

Your Committee is in agreement that Daniel Kahikina Akaka's distinguished service and leadership make him highly deserving of induction into the Aloha Order of Merit.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 116 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Technology,

____________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair