STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1572

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 833, 834

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 833 and 834, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission

 

G.M. No. 833

CARMEN HULU LINDSEY,

for a term to expire 6-30-2019; and

 

G.M. No. 834

MICHELE MCLEAN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2019,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Carmen Hulu Lindsey and Michele McLean to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission.

 

CARMEN HULU LINDSEY

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Carmen Hulu Lindsey from the Aha Moku Advisory Committee, Hoomana Pono LLC, Koolau Foundation, and four individuals.

 

     Ms. Lindsey is a Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner.  As a sitting Trustee on the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, she has served with fairness, attention to detail, and integrity.  She works well with members of the Aha Moku Advisory Committee and has an extensive knowledge of the history of Kahoolawe and Maui in regard to culture and sustainability of the natural and cultural resources.  She brings this commitment and love for her people to the Commission.

 

     According to testimony, Ms. Lindsey has shown that she is accessible, listens well, and makes thoughtful and appropriate decisions that are beneficial to the Hawaiian people.  This is reflected in her work as a Trustee for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.  Further, as a resident of Maui, she is close to the people there and understands the special relationship between the traditional and generational Native Hawaiian practitioners who are attached to Kaho‘olawe through the Honuaula Moku.

 

MICHELE MCLEAN

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Michele McLean from the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission and twelve individuals.

 

     Michele McLean received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Vassar College.  She did graduate studies in the Master of Business Administration program at the University of Phoenix in Wailuku, Maui.

 

     Ms. McLean is the Deputy Planning Director for the County of Maui.  Since Ms. McLean has previously worked as the Deputy Director and Policy Advisor for the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission for more than five years, she is thoroughly familiar with its day-to-day operations, including administrative, policy, and program operations.  She believes the role of the Commission is to continue to expand the safe and meaningful access to Kaho‘olawe for all of Hawaii's people and to continue to improve relationships with stewardship organizations, including the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana.  The nominee also wishes to work with the many stakeholders to begin implementation of I Ola Kanaloa!:  A Plan for Kanaloa Kaho‘olawe through 2026.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

LAURA H. THIELEN, Chair