STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3137

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 512

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 512, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Hawaiian Homes Commission

G.M. No. 512

DOREEN GOMES, for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Doreen Gomes to possess the requisite commitment, sincerity, dedication, and qualifications to be nominated to the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Doreen Gomes from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association, and thirty-five individuals.

     Ms. Gomes received her Associate's degree in General Studies from the University of Phoenix.  Among other businesses, she has worked for the Hawaiian Telephone Company, Hawaiian Telcom, and Kula Hospital.  She is currently a Building Permits Router for Palekana Permitting and Planning.

Ms. Gomes has been serving on the Hawaiian Homes Commission since December as an interim appointee.  She is a Hawaiian homelands lessee in Maui and has a wealth of experience in community leadership, project management, non-profit organizations, and small businesses.  Ms. Gomes is President-Elect of the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and sustain Hawaiian values and culture and enhance the socio-economic status of Native Hawaiians.  Previously, she served on the Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteaders Association Board, Boys & Girls Club of Maui Board, Maui County Police Commission, and Maui County Fire and Public Safety Commission.  Ms. Gomes is highly respected in her community and known for her integrity, loyalty, and dedication to her community.  Ms. Gomes has a keen knowledge of the concerns, challenges, and opportunities faced by homesteaders and will be an asset to the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

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

____________________________

MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair