SSCR1898

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1898

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 565, 566, 599

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 565, 566, and 599, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Island Burial Council, Islands of Maui and Lana'i

G.M. No. 565

MICHELE HOOPII,

for a term to expire 06-30-2025;

G.M. No. 566

SCOTT FISHER,

for a term to expire 06-30-2026; and

G.M. No. 599

DIANE PREZA,

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 Michele Hoopii, Scott Fisher, and Diane Preza for service on the Island Burial Council for the islands of Maui and Lana‘i.

MICHELE HOOPII

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

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Hoopii's background and experience qualify her to be appointed to the Island Burial Council for the islands of Maui and Lana‘i as a member representing the geographic region of Wailuku. Ms. Hoopii lives within the moku of Wailuku, Maui, and has deep familial and historical ties to Waiehu and Kahakuloa in West Maui. Ms. Hoopii is currently employed as an Information Technology Desktop Specialist at Hawaiian Electric Company and, in her free time, she spends her evenings and weekends tending her family's lo‘i kalo (taro patch) in Waiehu. Your Committee finds that Ms. Hoopii possesses a unique cultural perspective and knowledge of the island, which stems from her lived experience as a Native Hawaiian with strong intergenerational ties to West Maui, and that Ms. Hoopii will greatly enhance the work of the Council. Your Committee finds that Ms. Hoopii has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of Council members and therefore recommends that Michele Hoopii be appointed to the Island Burial Council for the islands of Maui and Lana‘i.

SCOTT FISHER

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Scott Fisher from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawai‘i Land Trust, and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Fisher's background, experience, and dedication to community service qualify him to be appointed to the Island Burial Council for the islands of Maui and Lana‘i as a member representing a landowner/developer. Dr. Fisher was born and raised in Kula, Maui, and has dedicated his life to the protection and stewardship of natural and cultural resources on Maui. Dr. Fisher currently serves as the Director of ‘Āina Stewardship for the Hawai‘i Land Trust, where he leads all ecological restoration activities conducted by the Land Trust. Dr. Fisher's work also includes protecting iwi kupuna discovered on the Land Trust's preserves from coastal erosion and working with families to reinter exposed iwi kupuna. Previously, Dr. Fisher worked as a Project Manager for the Maui Coastal Land Trust, where he stewarded the two hundred seventy-seven acre Waihe‘e Coastal Dunes and Wetlands Refuge. Especially relevant, Dr. Fisher has served on the Island Burial Council for the islands of Maui and Lana‘i for thirteen years. Your Committee finds that Dr. Fisher's extensive conservation background, knowledge of the island, and demonstrated dedication to the mission of the Island Burial Council will enhance the work of the Council. Your Committee finds that Dr. Fisher has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of Council members and therefore recommends that Scott Fisher be appointed to the Island Burial Council for the islands of Maui and Lana‘i.

DIANE PREZA

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

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Preza's background, experience, and dedication to community service qualify her to be appointed to the Island Burial Council for the islands of Maui and Lana‘i as a member representing the geographic region of Lana‘i. Ms. Preza was born and raised on Lana‘i and has deep familial and historical ties to the island by way of her Ka‘ōpūiki family line. Ms. Preza is currently employed as the Director of Community Affairs for Pūlama Lana‘i, a land and resource management company that works to promote preservation, cultural stewardship, and sustainability on Lana‘i. In addition, Ms. Preza is actively involved in community organizations on the island, such as the Lana‘i Culture and Heritage Center, Lana‘i Community Benefit Fund, and Mānele-Hulopo‘e Marine Life Conservation District Project. Ms. Preza attested that she recognizes the importance of respecting those ancestors that came before her and that honoring kupuna by properly caring for their remains is a privilege. Your Committee finds that Ms. Preza's deep lineal ties to Lana‘i and her dedication to conservation and stewardship on the island will greatly enhance the work of the Council. Your Committee finds that Ms. Preza has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of Council members and therefore recommends that Diane Preza be appointed to the Island Burial Council for the islands of Maui and Lana‘i.

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