STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1941

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 674

 

 

 

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 No. 674, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Hawaiian Homes Commission

 

G.M. No. 674

MAKAI FREITAS,

for a term to expire 06-30-2025,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Makai Freitas for service on the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Makai Freitas from the Governor; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; one member of the Hawai‘i County Council; United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO; Waimea Hawaiian Homestead Association; ILWU Local 142 Hawaii Longshore Division; ILWU Local 100; District 8 Council of the Hawai‘i County Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; and one hundred twenty-four individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Makai Freitas from one individual. 

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Freitas' background, experience, and dedication to community service qualify him to be appointed to the Hawaiian Homes Commission as the representative of West Hawaii, Hawaii island.  Mr. Freitas was born and raised on Hawaii island and has deep intergenerational roots and ties to the West Hawaii community.  Since January 2022, Mr. Freitas has served as the elected Chair of ILWU Unit 1201 Big Island Stevedores, where he represents the local shipping titans, Matson Navigation Company, Inc. and Hawaii Stevedores, Inc.  Previously, Mr. Freitas served as a member of the ILWU Political Action Committee, where he worked with legislators, organized campaign activities, and worked with nonprofits to address the housing needs of his union members.  Mr. Freitas is employed as a longshoremen for Big Island Stevedores and previously worked for McCabe, Hamilton and Renny Co., Ltd., Hawaii's oldest and only independently-owned stevedore company.  Separately, prior to his career as a longshoremen, Mr. Freitas was a football star, signing with the then Oakland Raiders in 2002.  Mr. Freitas has parlayed his passion for football into coaching youth and high school sports leagues on Hawaii island.  Mr. Freitas also volunteers as Vice Chair of the District 8 Council of the Hawai‘i County Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, which encompasses Waimea, Waikoloa, Waiki‘i, Kawaihae, Kapa‘au, and Hawi.  Mr. Freitas is additionally a member of the Waimea Community Association.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Freitas, with his deep ties to West Hawaii and his extensive background as a labor organizer and community leader, possesses the requisite qualifications to serve on the Hawaiian Homes Commission as the representative of West Hawaii.  Mr. Freitas has a demonstrated ability to engage with communities and be their voice and advocate, a skillset that makes him especially well-suited to serve on behalf of the West Hawaii homestead beneficiaries.  Further, Mr. Freitas has demonstrated his deep commitment to improving the community of West Hawaii through his longtime union leadership, public service, and mentorship of the next generation through the arena of sports.  Mr. Freitas received tremendous testimonial support in favor of his appointment and your Committee specifically notes the favorable testimony submitted on his behalf from members of the homestead community.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Freitas has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of Commission members and therefore recommends that Makai Freitas be appointed to the Hawaiian Homes Commission based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

     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,

 

 

 

____________________________

MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair