STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1572

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 729

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 729, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Island Burial Council Island of O'ahu

 

G.M. No. 729

HINALEIMOANA WONG-KALU,

for a term to expire 6-30-2016,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu to possess the requisite commitment, sincerity, dedication, and qualifications to be nominated to the Island Burial Council for the Island of O‘ahu.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this nominee from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Hawaii Community Development Authority; Turtle Bay; Howard Hughes Corporation; Kuiwalu Consulting; Papa Ola Lokahi; Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.; Aukahi; Taubman Centers and CoastWood Capital Group; Stanford Carr Development, LLC; Na Koa Ikaika; Cultural Surveys Hawaii, Inc.; and thirteen individuals.

 

     Ms. Wong-Kalu graduated from Kamehameha Schools and earned Bachelor's degrees in Hawaiian Studies and Education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Ms. Wong-Kalu currently serves as the Chair of the Oahu Island Burial Council and represents the Kona region.  During her tenure on the Island Burial Council, she has developed an excellent rapport with state and local government officials and has mediated many contentious situations.  She has also been instrumental in facilitating meaningful discussions between the Department of Land and Natural Resources and large developers on Oahu regarding iwi kupuna.

 

     In addition to serving as the current Chair of Oahu's Island Burial Council, Ms. Wong-Kalu is currently a kumu hula and Hawaiian language instructor at Halau Lokahi Public Charter School.  She also serves as a cultural consultant and volunteer for ‘Iolani Palace and is on the Board of Kulia Na Mamo and the ‘Ilio‘ulaokalani Coalition.  As is evidenced by the numerous statements submitted on her behalf, this nominee demonstrates exemplary leadership skills and is widely respected throughout the community for her cultural sensitivity and informed and active approach to decision making on the Council.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism 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 Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

BRICKWOOD GALUTERIA, Chair