STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3971

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 717, 718, 719, 720, 721, 722, 723, 724

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 717, 718, 719, 720, 721, 722, 723, and 724, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Aha Moku Advisory Committee

 

G.M. No. 717

KEITH ROBINSON,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 718

WALTER RAWLINS,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 719

ROBERT LUUWAI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 720

MANUEL KULOLOIO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 721

FRANCES KALUHIWA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 722

CHARLES YOUNG,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024;

 

G.M. No. 723

LLEWELLYN KAOHELAULII,

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

 

G.M. No. 724

WINIFRED BASQUES,

for a term to expire 06-30-2024,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Keith Robinson, Walter Rawlins, Robert Luuwai, Manuel Kuloloio, Frances Kaluhiwa, Charles Young, Llewellyn Kaohelaulii, and Winifred Basques for service on the Aha Moku Advisory Committee.

 

KEITH ROBINSON

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Keith Robinson from the Hawaii State Aha Moku, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, Ko‘olau Foundation, and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Robinson's knowledge, experience, and desire to serve qualify him to be appointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee as a representative of Niihau.  Mr. Robinson has been a life-long resident of Kauai and environmentalist, serving as owner and operator of an endangered wildlife species reserve on Kauai.  Mr. Robinson's family has privately owned the island of Niihau since the late nineteenth century, and his family continues to preserve indigenous ways of life, traditions, and customary practices.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Robinson understands the role and responsibilities of board members and his knowledge of endangered native plants of Hawaii and the Native Hawaiian community of Niihau will enhance the effectiveness of the Aha Moku Advisory Committee for matters regarding Niihau.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Keith Robinson be appointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee based on his background, experience, and desire to serve the public.

 

WALTER RAWLINS

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Walter Rawlins from the Hawaii State Aha Moku and Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Rawlins' knowledge, experience, and desire to serve qualify him to be appointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee as a representative of Molokai.  Mr. Rawlins is a life-long resident of Molokai and is a descendant of one of Molokai's generational families who possess knowledge of the natural and cultural resources of Molokai, including the traditional uses of land, water, and ocean resources.  Mr. Rawlins presently serves on the Kupuna Council of Molokai as a representative of one of Molokai's five Moku.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Rawlins understands the role and responsibilities of board members and his knowledge of Molokai's traditional and cultural resources, lands, and waters will enhance the effectiveness of the Aha Moku Advisory Committee for matters regarding Molokai.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Walter Rawlins be appointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee based on his background, experience, and desire to serve the public.

 

ROBERT LUUWAI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Robert Luuwai from the Hawaii State Aha Moku, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Luuwai's knowledge, experience, and desire to serve qualify him to be appointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee as a representative of Maui.  Mr. Luuwai is a life-long resident of Maui and possesses generational knowledge of Maui's twelve Moku passed down from his father.  Mr. Luuwai is a fisher, and understands the significance of cultural and natural resources of Maui as it pertains to water and currents.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Luuwai understands the role and responsibilities of board members and his generational knowledge of the cultural and natural resources of Maui's twelve Moku will enhance the effectiveness of the Aha Moku Advisory Committee for matters regarding Maui.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Robert Luuwai be appointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee based on his background, experience, and desire to serve the public.

 

MANUEL KULOLOIO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Manuel Kuloloio from the Hawaii State Aha Moku, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, Ko‘olau Foundation, and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Kuloloio's knowledge, experience, and desire to serve qualify him to be appointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee as a representative of Kahoolawe.  Mr. Kuloloio was born and raised on Maui, and he possesses generational knowledge of Kahoolawe's currents and landmarks from his kupuna.  Mr. Kuloloio's great-grandfather, Awaloa, is credited with giving Kahoolawe its place names, and his great-grandfather's knowledge continues to guide Mr. Kuloloio's knowledge of the natural and cultural resources of Kahoolawe.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Kuloloio understands the role and responsibilities of board members and his generational knowledge of the cultural and natural resources of Kahoolawe's Moku, landmarks, and currents will enhance the effectiveness of the Aha Moku Advisory Committee for matters regarding Kahoolawe.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Manuel Kuloloio be appointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee based on his background, experience, and desire to serve the public.

 

FRANCES KALUHIWA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Frances Kaluhiwa from the Hawaii State Aha Moku, He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve, Ko‘olau Foundation, and two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Kaluhiwa's knowledge, experience, and desire to serve qualify her to be appointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee as a representative of Oahu.  Ms. Kaluhiwa is a life-long resident of Oahu, and she currently serves as the State Chairperson of Hawaii State Aha Moku.  Ms. Kaluhiwa has been an active resident of Heeia, Oahu, and she served as a community advocate for numerous community groups representing Heeia.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Kaluhiwa understands the role and responsibilities of board members and her institutional knowledge of Hawaii State Aha Moku as representative for Oahu and knowledge of natural and cultural resources will continue to be assets to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Frances Kaluhiwa be reappointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee based on her background, experience, and desire to serve the public.

 

CHARLES YOUNG

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Charles Young from the Hawaii State Aha Moku, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, and Hui Maka‘āinana O Makana.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Young's knowledge, experience, and desire to serve qualify him to be appointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee as a representative of Hawaii Island.  Mr. Young was born on Hawaii Island and serves as a community advocate for Native Hawaiian issues on Hawaii Island.  He was a plaintiff for Ka Pa‘akai O Ka ‘Āina in Ka Pa‘akai O Ka ‘Āina v. Land Use Commission, 94 Haw. 31 (2000), a landmark decision issued by the Hawaii Supreme Court that affirmed the State's responsibility to "'preserve and protect' native Hawaiian rights to the extent feasible."  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Young understands the role and responsibilities of board members, and his knowledge of community-based resource management will be an asset to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Charles Young be appointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee based on his background, experience, and desire to serve the public.

 

LLEWELLYN KAOHELAULII

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Llewellyn Kaohelaulii from the Hawaii State Aha Moku, Hui Maka‘āinana O Makana, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, and four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Kaohelaulii's knowledge, experience, and desire to serve qualify him to be appointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee as a representative of Kauai.  Mr. Kaohelaulii is a life-long resident of Poipu, Kauai, and he is the po‘o (director) of Hui Malama O Kaneiolouma Kahua.  He is an expert in loko ia (Hawaiian fishponds) and understands the intricate process of building and maintaining a successful, working kahua (native Hawaiian traditional village under the ahupuaa system).  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Kaohelaulii understands the role and responsibilities of board members, and as an original author of the Aha Moku legislation (Act 288, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012) and member of Aha Moku, his knowledge will continue to be assets to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Llewellyn Kaohelaulii be reappointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee based on his background, experience, and desire to serve the public.

 

WINIFRED BASQUES

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Winifred Basques from the Hawaii State Aha Moku, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, and Ko‘olau Foundation. 

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Basques' knowledge, experience, and desire to serve qualify her to be appointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee as a representative of Lanai.  Ms. Basques is a long-term resident of Lanai, and she possesses significant natural and cultural knowledge from the people and generational families of Lanai.  She is also a life-long hunter, and possesses knowledge of traditional fishing practices and preservation of natural and cultural resources.  Ms. Basques has been an active member of Aha Moku since its inception.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Basques understands the role and responsibilities of board members, and her wealth of knowledge will continue to be an asset to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Winifred Basques be reappointed to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee based on her background, experience, and desire to serve the public.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair