STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1705

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 606, 607, 809

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 606, 607, and 809, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Island Burial Council, Islands of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau

G.M. No. 606	CAROL LOVELL, for a term to expire 06-30-2017;
G.M. No. 607	CAROL LOVELL, for a term to expire 06-30-2021; and
G.M. No. 809	LEIANA ROBINSON, for a term to expire 06-30-2021,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Carol Lovell and Leiana Robinson to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Island Burial Council, Islands of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.

CAROL LOVELL

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Carol Lovell from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and two individuals.

     Ms. Lovell is a resident of Anahola, Kaua‘i, and previously served as the Kaua‘i Museum Director for fourteen years.  In that capacity, she became knowledgeable and gained experience in working with the Native American Grave Repatriation Act.  Her responsibilities as director also included attendance at Island Burial Council meetings, where she became familiar with Hawai‘i's laws and rules regarding native Hawaiian burials.  Ms. Lovell was also fortunate to have been mentored by well-known and respected kūpuna of Kaua‘i.  Through that mentorship, she learned proper protocol surrounding cultural artifacts and gained a respect for traditional knowledge and cultural resources.  Ms. Lovell has been serving on the Council on an interim basis.

LEIANA ROBINSON

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Leiana Robinson from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

     Ms. Robinson was born and raised on the island of Ni‘ihau which gives her a unique perspective to the Council's deliberations since she was reared in a predominately full-blooded native Hawaiian community.  In addition, Ms. Robinson's first language and mother tongue is Hawaiian.  Ms. Robinson currently serves on the Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau Island Burial Council and remains committed to continuing her service to the Hawaiian people.

     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