STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3707

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 778, 838, 839, 840, 841

 

 

 

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 Nos. 778, 838, 839, 840, and 841, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Island Burial Council, Islands Of Maui And Lanai

 

G.M. No. 778

EVALINA WATANABE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2017;

 

G.M. No. 838

KAHELEONOLANI DUKELOW,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 839

LEIANE PACI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 840

KALANI HO-NIKAIDO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019; and

 

G.M. No. 841

SOLOMON CHURCH,

for a term to expire 06-30-2017,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

EVALINA WATANABE

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Evalina Watanabe from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Watanabe has strong ties to the Lāna‘i community where she was born and raised, and where her family owns kuleana land.  Ms. Watanabe has worked with numerous organizations focused on the interests of Hawaiian communities on Maui and Lāna‘i including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kamehameha Schools, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Alu Like, and Department of Education Kupuna Program.  Through her membership in Hui Mālama Pono o Lāna‘i and Lāna‘i Archaeological Committee, Ms. Watanabe has visited many sacred places on Lāna‘i and has helped reinter iwi from Lāna‘i Hale.  Your Committee therefore finds that Ms. Watanabe is qualified to be appointed to the Island Burial Council, Islands of Maui and Lāna‘i, representing the geographic region of Lāna‘i, based on her experience, background, and commitment to the Lāna‘i community.

 

KAHELEONOLANI DUKELOW

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Kaheleonolani Dukelow from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and Aha Moku Advisory Committee.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Dukelow has demonstrated a strong commitment to Hawaiian language and culture through her professional and personal contributions to these fields.  Ms. Dukelow was born and raised on Maui and has earned a Bachelor's degree in Hawaiian Studies with a Hawaiian Language Certificate and Master of Education degree from the University of Hawaii.  She is an Assistant Professor of Hawaiian Studies and Language at Maui Community College, and is currently involved in a stewardship program caring for iwi kūpuna in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' twenty-one acre cultural preserve, which is located in the same district that she is being nominated to represent.  Your Committee further finds that as a result of her work, Ms. Dukelow is a respected advocate for Hawaiian culture in her community.  Your Committee also finds that Ms. Dukelow has been a member of the Island Burial Council, Islands of Maui and Lāna‘i for the last two years, and thus has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members.  Your Committee therefore finds that Ms. Dukelow has been nominated for reappointment to the Island Burial Council, Islands of Maui and Lāna‘i, representing the geographic region of Honua‘ula, based on her knowledge, professional experience, and commitment to Hawaiian culture in the State.

 

LEIANE PACI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Leiane Paci from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Paci has worked in the development and construction fields for more than twenty years, and she is currently a Partner of the development firm Maui Lani Partners.  In Ms. Paci's role as Partner, she oversees, among other things, the handling of sensitive Native Hawaiian issues and provides guidance in the establishment of archaeological and burial preservation sites.  Ms. Paci currently serves on the Island Burial Council, Islands of Maui and Lāna‘i, and your Committee finds that her professional experience has been and will continue to be a valuable asset to the Council.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Paci has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and has been nominated for reappointment to the Island Burial Council, Islands of Maui and Lāna‘i, representing landowners and developers based on her knowledge and professional experience.

 

KALANI HO-NIKAIDO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Kalani Ho-Nikaido from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Ho-Nikaido holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Denver and has worked in real property management, development, and sales for many years.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Ho-Nikaido's knowledge and experience, particularly in managing Maui Land & Pineapple Company's lands and facilitating farm support services in Maui, have been valuable to the Island Burial Council, Islands of Maui and Lāna‘i, and that she has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members.  Your Committee therefore finds that Ms. Ho-Nikaido has been nominated for reappointment to the Island Burial Council, Islands of Maui and Lāna‘i, representing landowners and developers based on her knowledge and professional experience.

 

SOLOMON CHURCH

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Solomon Church from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Church is a devoted member of the Hana community where he has been a resident for his entire life.  Mr. Church is currently Vice Chair of the Hana Community Association and was formerly the Association's Chair.  Mr. Church traces his genealogy back many generations throughout East Maui to Hāna, Kaupō, Waihe‘e, and Ke‘anae, where most of his ‘ohana still resides.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Church has been nominated to the Island Burial Council, Islands of Maui and Lāna‘i, representing the geographic region of Hana based on his background and knowledge of the Hana community, which will bring a valuable perspective to the Council.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair