STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2668

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 273, 274

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 273 and 274, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Island Burial Council, Islands of Kauai and Niihau

 

G.M. No. 273

JAMES WILFRED FUJITA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2012; and

 

G.M. No. 274

DEBRA UILANI RUIZ,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds James Wilfred Fujita and Debra Uilani Ruiz to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Island Burial Council for the islands of Kauai and Niihau. 

 

     Testimony in support of the nomination of James Wilfred Fujita was submitted by one state agency.

 

     Mr. Fujita presently serves as an interim member of the Island Burial Council.  He is personally committed to serving the Hawaiian community and brings a keen cultural understanding in the matters of the ocean and land to the Council.  Mr. Fujita is a life-long resident of Kauai, involved with several native Hawaiian organizations, and a successful small business owner.  Additionally, he is trained in radar operations and electricity repair, is a certified Emergency Medical Technician and Housing Inspector for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and is a licensed real estate agent and insurance agent.  Mr. Fujita has a diverse professional background which lends to his ability to communicate and interact effectively with other people.  These professional skills combined with his personal commitment to serving the Hawaiian community make him an effective and compassionate member of the Island Burial Council. 

 

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Debra Uilani Ruiz was submitted by one state agency.

 

     Ms. Ruiz presently serves as an interim member of the Island Burial Council.  She was raised in Waimea valley and taught to respect the ocean and the land.  Ms. Ruiz is trained in the protocols of funerals and other high ceremonies, and mentors the next generation in their practice of cultural protocols.  She is a member and past President of Hale O Na Alii O Hawaii, Halau O Kapiolani and supports the Ke Kula Niihau O Kekaha charter school.  Ms. Ruiz is presently employed as an executive secretary at the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands.  Her professional experience combined with her community service informs her broad view of life, which has inspired her to share her cultural expertise with future generations and work for the Island Burial Council.

 

Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     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,

 

 

 

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair