STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2152

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 706

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 706, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Island Burial Council, Island of Hawai'i

G.M. No. 706

DESMON HAUMEA, for a term to expire 06-30-2022,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the resume submitted by Desmon Haumea for service on the Island Burial Council, Island of Hawai‘i.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Desmon Haumea from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Haumea's background, experience, and commitment to community service qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Island Burial Council, Island of Hawai‘i representing landowners and developers. Your Committee notes that Mr. Haumea is a resident of Hilo and has a long history of work and volunteer experience focused on native Hawaiian cultural practices. Currently, Mr. Haumea works with the Department of Education at Mt. View Elementary School and at the Waldorf Malamalama School where he teaches Hawaiian Studies, voyaging and canoe culture, basic seamanship, mele, Hawaiian self-defense, and lomilomi and traditional healing arts. Mr. Haumea has taught similar Hawaiiana subjects at the Ka Umeke Kaeo Hawaiian Immersion school and Edith Kanakaole Foundation. Mr. Haumea's commitment to bringing native Hawaiian practices to the broader community extends beyond schools and he has volunteered as a Cultural Advisor with Maui Community Correctional Center, he is a crewmember of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and ‘Ohana Wa‘a, and he was one of the founding members of the Hawaiian Foundation on Self Defense and Healing Arts, Na Wa‘a Hanakahi Educational and Cultural Organization, and Lae‘ula O Kai Educational and Cultural Organization. Your Committee finds that Mr. Haumea's advocacy for Hawaiian cultural practices will be a valuable asset for the Council and recommends that Mr. Haumea be appointed to the Island Burial Council, Island of Hawai‘i.

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,

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MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair