STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2985

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 607

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 607, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Hawaiian Homes Commission

 

G.M. No. 607

WREN WESCOATT, III,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Wren Wescoatt, III, from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Kewalo Hawaiian Homes Community Association, and nine individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination of Mr. Wescoatt from Ho‘omana Pono, LLC.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Wescoatt's professional experience and perspective will be great assets to the Hawaiian Homes Commission.  Specifically, your Committee finds that Mr. Wescoatt has work experience as an educator, business owner, nonprofit director, and energy developer and, from those experiences, expertise in land management, renewable energy, finance, and education and social programs, which are of particular importance to Native Hawaiians and the work of the Hawaiian Homes Commission.  Mr. Wescoatt is committed to improving the lives of Native Hawaiians.  He considers the housing of Native Hawaiians to be a priority and primary purpose of the Hawaiian Homes Act and hopes to assist in the implementation of a sound financial plan that enables the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to manage and grow its financial assets.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Wescoatt has been nominated to the Hawaiian Homes Commission based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to improving housing in the State.

 

     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