STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3837

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 730

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 730, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Kane'ohe Bay Regional Council

G.M. No. 730

JEFFREY KALUHIWA, for a term to expire 06-30-2020,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Jeffrey Kaluhiwa for service on the Kāne‘ohe Bay Regional Council.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jeffrey Kaluhiwa from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Aha Moku Advisory Committee, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Ko‘olau Foundation, and Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Kaluhiwa's experience in the traditional Native Hawaiian land management system demonstrated by his decade of work within the ahupua‘a of He‘eia, commitment to public service, and proven leadership qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Kāne‘ohe Bay Regional Council as a member representing the Kāne‘ohe Bay Recreational Boating Association. Your Committee notes that Mr. Kaluhiwa is an extremely knowledgeable cultural practitioner who has lived his entire life in and around Kāne‘ohe Bay. With deep family and personal ties to Ko‘olaupoko and the He‘eia ahupua‘a, he has a vested interest in the proper management and care of the lands and waters of Ko‘olaupoko, including Kāne‘ohe Bay and its resources. As an expert fisherman (lawai‘a), he knows the seasons, currents, tides, species, and other components that balance Kāne‘ohe Bay.

Your Committee further notes that if appointed to serve as a member of the Kāne‘ohe Bay Regional Council, Mr. Kaluhiwa indicated in his personal statement that he would pursue the issue of better monitoring heavy use of Ahu O Laka, commonly referred to as the Sandbar, during three-day weekends as well as illegal boating and kayak business activities that may be contrary to the design and purpose of the Kāne‘ohe Bay master plan. Testimony in support of the nominee indicate that his last decade of work within the ahupua‘a of He‘eia demonstrates an appreciation for and dedication to the perpetuation of Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices in the contemporary context of sustainable resource management. The knowledge and experience he has gained from his professional work and from his kūpuna and family members make Mr. Kaluhiwa uniquely suited to serve on the Kāne‘ohe Bay Regional Council.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land 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 Water and Land,

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair