STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1829

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     GOV. MSG. NOS. 741, 742, 743, 744, 745

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 741, 742, 743, 744, and 745, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Island Burial Council, Island of Oahu

 

G.M. No. 741

CHARLES MITCHELL,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

 

G.M. No. 742

NORMAN CACERES,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 743

NANEA LO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 744

DIANE FITZSIMMONS,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024; and

 

G.M. No. 745

WILLIAM MILLS,

for a term to expire 06-30-2025,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Charles Mitchell, Norman Caceres, Nanea Lo, Diane Fitzsimmons, and William Mills for service on the Oahu Island Burial Council.

 

CHARLES MITCHELL

 

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

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Mitchell is a practicing Cultural Anthropologist who has been involved with preserving iwi kupuna since he was a child and has demonstrated his dedication to preserving iwi kupuna throughout his life.  For the past five years, Mr. Mitchell has served on the Island Burial Council for the island of Oahu as its Vice Chair, representing the geographic region of Waianae.  His knowledge, experience, and kuleana have been valuable assets to the Oahu Island Burial Council.  Mr. Mitchell has a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology with an emphasis on Archaeology from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and a Master's degree in Applied Indigenous Knowledge from Te Wānanga O Aotearoa Universities, Hamilton, New Zealand.   Subsequently, Mr. Mitchell personally assisted with the preparation of iwi kupuna and moepu, worked on the long-term preservation plan for portions of a trail located in West Hawaii Veteran's Cemetery, conducted the archaeological inventory survey for a seventy-one acre parcel in Kawela, drafted several burial treatment plans, and conducted cultural assessments.  Mr. Mitchell's lifetime of cultural and archaeological experience, combined with his experience working with various communities, will allow him to continue his significant contributions to the Oahu Island Burial Council and its work as a representative of the geographic region of Kona.

 

NORMAN CACERES

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Norman Caceres from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Caceres's professional experience and background qualify him for reappointment to the Island Burial Council, Island of Oahu, representing the geographic region of Ewa.  Mr. Caceres has served on the Oahu Island Burial Council for the Ewa District for the past five years.  While on the council, Mr. Caceres has demonstrated a deep sense of cultural sensitivity concerning iwi kupuna and regularly dedicates time to attend consultation meetings with developers.

 

     Mr. Caceres has a Bachelor's degree in Communication from the University of Hawaii at Hilo where he learned Hawaiian language, chants, and religious protocol.  Part of his academic curriculum included archaeology field work and anthropology.  Mr. Caceres is also currently employed by Oiwi Cultural Resources as a Cultural Monitor Assistant Manager and is a haumana of Mālama Iwi Kūpuna.  Your Committee finds that in these positions and as a recognized lineal cultural descendant, he has worked on facilitating proper treatment and protection of human skeletal remains.  Mr. Caceres' understanding of development issues in the construction industry in conjunction with his knowledge of the historic preservation review process has enriched his experience on the Island Burial Council where many decisions revolve around development, construction, and archaeology.  As such, he has obtained the requisite knowledge and experience in Native Hawaiian traditional, cultural, and historic properties necessary to the Council's operations.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Caceres's experience in working with iwi kupuna will continue to be an asset to the Oahu Island Burial Council.

 

NANEA LO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Nanea Lo from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, and twenty-nine individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Lo is from Papakolea, Oahu and currently lives in the Kapolei Kaupea Hawaiian Homes homestead.  Ms. Lo has a Bachelor of Art's in Interdisciplinary Studies, Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is currently working on her Master's degree in the same subject matter.  She is currently a member of the ‘Ahahui Siwila Hawai‘i o Kapolei, which has enabled her to gain experience in burial issues as the club is involved in caring for the Kalaeloa Heritage Park where Native Hawaiian human skeletal remains exist.  Ms. Lo is engaged in Native Hawaiian initiatives as a former Policy and Public Health Analyst with the National Indian Health Board, Graduate Research Assistant with Hui ‘Āina Pilipili, Hawaii Asia-Pacific Affairs Leadership Scholar, and Peace Scholar.  These experiences have given her training in the areas of land management, cultural studies, Hawaiian history, and repatriation.  Your Committee finds that Nanea Lo's experience and knowledge will be valuable assets to the Oahu Island Burial Council.

 

DIANE FITZSIMMONS

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Diane Fitzsimmons from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Ke One o Kākuhihewa, and six individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Fitzsimmons has cultural and genealogical ties to the Waialua moku.  She is currently a member of the Waialua Hawaiian Civic Club and the moku director for the Kākuhihewa Hawaiian Civic Club, where she advocates for positions important for Native Hawaiian members.  In this role, she participates in the protection and preservation care of iwi kupuna at Pu‘uiki Cemetery and in Pupukea.  Ms. Fitzsimmons has also participated as a community member with the University of Hawaii's School of Archaeology North Shore Field School.  Ms. Fitzsimmons has experience dealing with burial issues, attending Island Burial Council meetings over the past three years as a recognized descendant of human skeletal remains located at Kawaiaha‘o Church.  She has been vigilant in ensuring that construction does not disturb inadvertent finds and has reported concerns to the State Historic Preservation Division.  Your Committee therefore finds that Ms. Fitzsimmons' dedication to preserving iwi kupuna, and her experience and knowledge qualify her for appointment to the Oahu Island Burial Council, representing the geographic region of Waialua.

 

WILLIAM MILLS

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of William Mills from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and three individuals.

 

     Mr. Mills has served on the Oahu Island Burial Council since 2018.  After graduating with a Hawaiian Language degree and Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Hawaii, Mr. Mills focused his career on Hawaiian issues in the public sector.  Over the course of his career, Mr. Mills worked at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Office of the State Auditor, Department of Land and Natural Resources Historic Preservation Division, and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands where he gained invaluable experience in administrative affairs.  Of note is Mr. Mills' role at the State Historic Preservation Division, where he managed all burial cases on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii and built a strong foundation in burials and historic preservation during his tenure.  Mr. Mills' lifelong commitment to cultural and natural resources preservation and extensive experience with government resources and procedures will be valuable assets to the Oahu Burial 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