STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1704

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 786, 787, 788

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. 786, 787, and 788, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Island Burial Council, Islands of Maui and Lana'i

G.M. No. 786	SUSAN ANTONIO, for a term to expire 06-30-2020;
G.M. No. 787	EVALINA WATANABE, for a term to expire 06-30-2021; and
G.M. No. 788	SCOTT FISHER, for a term to expire 06-30-2018,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Susan Antonio, Evalina Watanabe, and Scott Fisher to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Island Burial Council, Islands of Maui and Lana‘i.

SUSAN ANTONIO

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Susan Antonio from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and one individual.

     Ms. Antonio has been serving on the Maui and Lāna‘i Island Burial Council for the past three years.  As the Council Chair, she has exemplified leadership, guiding the Council through complex developments, ensuring close attention is paid to iwi protection.  Additionally, she assists in executing cultural protocols, including making kapa for iwi re-interment.  She also serves as the Hawaiian Language Translator and Specialist for the Ka Ho‘olina Journal.  Ms. Antonio has demonstrated a deep respect for iwi kūpuna, teaching her students to revere iwi as the vessels of our ancestors' mana.  Ms. Antonio has lived in Makawao for over fifteen years, and she has indicated her intent to root her family in the Makawao community indefinitely.

EVALINA WATANABE

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

      Ms. Watanabe was born and raised on Lāna‘i and has genealogical ties to the island.  She would like to continue to represent that community on the Maui and Lāna‘i Island Burial Council.  While she has lived on the island of Maui for the last forty years, she nevertheless maintains a close relationship to her home island of Lāna‘i and is committed to protecting her childhood community.  Her past networking experiences include the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Alu Like, Department of Education's Kupuna Program, Queen Lili‘uokalani Children's Center, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and Kamehameha Schools.  Ms. Watanabe has been serving on the Maui and Lāna‘i Island Burial Council since 2015.

     Ms. Watanabe has also served as a consultant with Castle and Cooke Resorts in historic preservation and has assisted with cultural surveys.  She has visited many sacred places through her membership in Hui Mālama Pono o Lāna‘i and Lāna‘i Archaeological Committee.  She has also helped reinter iwi from Lāna‘i Hale.  Additionally, Ms. Watanabe has served on the Maui County Cultural Resource Commission for six years and has also served as a member of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council.

SCOTT FISHER

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Scott Fisher from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Mr. Fisher is a resident of Kula, Maui.  He is currently the Associate Executive Director of Conservation and Maui Island Director of the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust.  He has experience teaching in Australia, Indiana, and Colorado.  Mr. Fisher developed and implemented an extensive oral history grant for the Maui Historical Society.  His community service includes the Maui Historical Society, Maui Conservation Alliance, Maui Nui Marine Resources Council, and Waihee‘e Community Association.  Mr. Fisher previously served on the Maui and Lāna‘i Island Burial Council as its Vice Chair where he earned the respect of his fellow members as well as the general community.

     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