STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3991

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 854, 855, 856, 857, 858

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. 854, 855, 856, 857, and 858, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Land Use Commission

G.M. No. 854	MICHAEL YAMANE, for a term to expire 06-30-2026;
G.M. No. 855	KU'IKEOKALANI KAMAKEA-'OHELO, for a term to expire 06-30-2022;
G.M. No. 856	KU'IKEOKALANI KAMAKEA-'OHELO, for a term to expire 06-30-2026;
G.M. No. 857	MELVIN KAHELE, for a term to expire 06-30-2026; and
G.M. No. 858	GEORGE ATTA, 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 Michael Yamane, Kū‘ikeokalani Kamakea-‘Ōhelo, Melvin Kahele, and George Atta for service on the Land Use Commission.

MICHAEL YAMANE

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Michael Yamane from the Land Use Commission, Office of the Mayor of the County of Kaua‘i, Pūlama Lāna‘i, and nine individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Michael Yamane from one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Yamane's experience, knowledge, and desire to serve as a member of the Land Use Commission qualify him as a Commissioner from the City and County of Honolulu, pursuant to section 205-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Mr. Yamane is a licensed professional engineer, specializing in electrical engineering. He currently serves as an independent contractor consultant and previously served as Chief of Operations and Technology for Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. Mr. Yamane has also been an active member of his community, serving on the Hawaii Employers Council Board of Governors, Hawaii Pacific Health Board of Directors, and as Chairperson of the Wilcox Hospital Board of Directors. Your Committee notes that Mr. Yamane has an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of board members and that his experience and knowledge in utilities, electrical engineering and operations, and renewable energy generation will be assets to the Land Use Commission. Your Committee therefore recommends that Michael Yamane be appointed to the Land Use Commission based on his experience, knowledge, and willingness to serve the public.

KŪ‘IKEOKALANI KAMAKEA-‘ŌHELO

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nominations for the appointment and reappointment of Kū‘ikeokalani Kamakea-‘Ōhelo from the Land Use Commission, Hawaii State Aha Moku, one member of the Honolulu City Council, Sierra Club of Hawai‘i, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, Hui Ku Like Kakou, CountryTalkStory.com, Ka ‘Ohana o ke Aloha (Hale Pule), and and forty-three individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Kamakea-‘Ōhelo's experience, knowledge, and desire to serve as a member of the Land Use Commission qualify him as a Commissioner with substantial experience or expertise in traditional Hawaiian land usage and knowledge of cultural land practices, pursuant to section 205-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Mr. Kamakea-‘Ōhelo currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for Cho Global Natural Farming Hawaii. As a farmer, Mr. Kamakea-‘Ōhelo has extensive training and knowledge in Korean natural farming, plant nutrition and fertilizer making, and animal husbandry. In addition to his knowledge, Mr. Kamakea-‘Ōhelo is also a certified practitioner and instructor of agriculture. Your Committee further finds that Mr. Kamakea-‘Ōhelo serves as a leader for the Waimanalo community as a community organizer and President of Save Our Sherwoods. Your Committee notes that Mr. Kamakea-‘Ōhelo's experience and knowledge in modern and traditional native Hawaiian agriculture, land use, and native Hawaiian traditional and cultural practices will be assets to the Land Use Commission. Your Committee therefore recommends that Kū‘ikeokalani Kamakea-‘Ōhelo be appointed to the Land Use Commission based on his experience, knowledge, and willingness to serve the public.

MELVIN KAHELE

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Melvin Kahele from the Land Use Commission, Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association, and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Melvin Kahele from one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Kahele's experience, knowledge, and desire to serve as a member of the Land Use Commission qualify him as a Commissioner as an at-large member, pursuant to section 205-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Your Committee finds that Mr. Kahele has served as a foreman in the gas industry for over twenty-five years before serving as President and Principal Executive Officer with the Teamsters Union, Local 996. Mr. Kahele currently serves as a lobbyist for the Iron Workers Union, Local 625, Stabilization Fund. Your Committee further finds that Mr. Kahele is also an active member of his community, serving as a member of the Aloha United Way, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, and Asian Pacific Labor Alliance Board of Directors and chairperson of seven Teamsters union trust funds. Your Committee notes that Mr. Kahele has an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of board members and that his experience and knowledge in gas-based utilities will be assets to the Land Use Commission. Your Committee therefore recommends that Melvin Kahele be appointed to the Land Use Commission based on his experience, knowledge, and willingness to serve the public.

GEORGE ATTA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of George Atta from the Land Use Commission; The Maritime Group, LLC; Ko‘olau Foundation; G70; and two individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Atta's experience, knowledge, and desire to serve as a member of the Land Use Commission qualify him as a Commissioner as an at‑large member, pursuant to section 205-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Your Committee finds that Mr. Atta previously served as the Director of the Department of Planning and Permitting for the City and County of Honolulu, where he oversaw long-range planning, traffic and engineering, land use, and regional planning for the island of Oahu. Mr. Atta is LEED AP-certified and possesses significant understanding of environmental design and development. Your Committee further finds that Mr. Atta is an active member of his community, serving as a member of the University of Hawaii Sea Grant Advisory Panel, Wahiawa Hospital Koa Ridge Committee, and TARO Center. Your Committee notes that Mr. Atta has an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of board members and that his experience and knowledge in public facilities, land use and resource management, and urban and regional planning will be assets to the Land Use Commission. Your Committee therefore recommends that George Atta be appointed to the Land Use Commission based on his experience, knowledge, and willingness 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