STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3826

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 567

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 567, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Hawaiian Homes Commission

G.M. No. 567

WALT KANEAKUA, for a term to expire 06-30-2027,

begs leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Walt Kaneakua from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Waimānalo Hawaiian Homes Association; Native Hawaiian Community Development Corporation; The Hawaiʻi Pacific Foundation, Inc.; Hui O Hana Pono; Hoʻomana Pono, LLC; Kaimana Hila; Aloha Travel LLC; and twenty-nine individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Walt Kaneakua from one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Kaneakua's background and dedication to serving the Native Hawaiian community qualify him for appointment to the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Currently, Mr. Kaneakua serves as a Director for the Hawaii Pacific Foundation, a nonprofit Native Hawaiian organization that fosters Native Hawaiian owned and Native Hawaiian serving small businesses, Mr. Kaneakua leads the Board of Directors for the Hawaii Pacific Foundation's Strategic Planning Committee and oversees the partial Hawaii Pacific Foundation portfolio for charitable giving in the Native Hawaiian community. Mr. Kaneakua also teaches as a professor at Pacific Rim Christian University and the U.S. Naval War College at Pearl Harbor.

Your Committee notes that Mr. Kaneakua is dedicated to serving the public and currently sits on the Board of Governors for Shriners for Children (Hawaii). Mr. Kaneakua has also worked as congressional staff for United States Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Mazie Hirono and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. Your Committee further finds that Mr. Kaneakua's extensive knowledge and experience will benefit the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Your Committee therefore recommends that Walt Kaneakua be appointed to the Hawaiian Homes Commission based on his experience, knowledge, 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