STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1502

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 340, 341, 519

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 340, 341, and 519, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Hawaiian Homes Commission

 

G.M. No. 340

DONALD S.M. CHANG,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011;

 

G.M. No. 341

TRISH K. MORIKAWA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011; and

 

G.M. No. 519

PERRY O. ARTATES,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds Donald S.M. Chang (representing Oahu), Trish K. Morikawa (representing Oahu), and Perry O. Artates (representing Maui) to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

 

     Testimony in support of Donald S.M. Chang's nomination was submitted by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; a Commissioner, Hawaiian Homes Commission; the State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations; and the Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association.

 

     Mr. Chang is a graduate of Maryknoll School and attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  He has thirty-six years of experience with the Honolulu Fire Department and obtained the Fire Department's highest position as its Fire Chief in 1993.  Mr. Chang has been active in a variety of community and civic organizations, including numerous firefighter councils and associations; the Boy Scouts of America, Aloha Council; the American Red Cross; and Hawaii Pop Warner and Little League teams.  He is currently serving the remainder of a former Commissioner's term on the Hawaiian Homes Commission.  During his tenure, he has contributed a strong administrative background, shown a caring attitude, and brought an open mind to the decision-making process.  He is committed to the Commission, reaching out to the Native Hawaiian homestead communities and providing further opportunities for beneficiary input and consultation.  Mr. Chang's demonstrated commitment, experience, and integrity makes him a valuable asset to the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

 

     Testimony in support of Trish K. Morikawa's nomination was submitted by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; a Commissioner, Hawaiian Homes Commission; the State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations; and six individuals.

 

     Ms. Morikawa is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools, received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and received her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  She currently serves as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the City and County of Honolulu's Department of the Prosecuting Attorney where she specializes in sex abuse cases.  Ms. Morikawa is completing her first term on the Hawaiian Homes Commission where she has proven to be an invaluable asset in its deliberations on a variety of issues.  She follows various legal challenges relating to the constitutionality of Hawaiian entitlement programs, and supports the current efforts to pursue federal recognition in order to protect these entitlements and provide self-determination for Native Hawaiians.  She is committed to the Commission, reaching out to the Native Hawaiian homestead communities and providing further opportunities for beneficiary input and consultation.  Ms. Morikawa's demonstrated commitment, experience, and integrity makes her a valuable asset to the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

 

     Testimony in support Perry O. Artates' nomination was submitted by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; a Commissioner, Hawaiian Homes Commission; a Trustee, Office of Hawaiian Affairs; two Council Members, County of Maui; the Director of the Department of Housing and Human Concerns, County of Maui; the State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations; the Hawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund; the Pacific Resource Partnership; the Delta Construction Corporation; and twelve individuals.

 

     Mr. Artates was born and raised on the island of Maui and is a graduate of Maui High School.  He has over thirty years of experience in the construction and labor industries and is currently the Executive Director the Hawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund.  For the past six years, he has served as the inaugural Chairperson of the Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteaders Association, representing more than three hundred families in this growing upcountry homestead community.  In this capacity, Mr. Artates has demonstrated strong leadership and a caring attitude for the families moving into the Waiohuli homestead community, and he is committed to developing programs to address any issues and improve the quality of life for families in Waiohuli, including safety and security, drainage concerns, street lighting, and fundraising.  Due to his work with the Waiohuli homestead community, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is depending on him to be the bridge between the Hawaiian Homes Commission and the beneficiaries in the Commission's effort to provide more opportunities for beneficiary consultation and input.  Mr. Artates' demonstrated commitment, experience, and integrity makes him a valuable asset to the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair