STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3575

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 918, 919

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, and Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 918 and 919, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission

 

G.M. No. 918

NOA EMMETT ALULI,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015; and

 

G.M. No. 919

CHRISTOPHER BAKER,

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 Noa Emmett Aluli and Christopher Baker to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission ("Commission").

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Noa Emmett Aluli from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, University of Hawaii, Kuiwalu, Protect Kahoolawe Ohana, Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi, Papa Ola Lokahi, and fourteen individuals.

 

     Dr. Aluli is a physician in family and general practice at the Molokai Family Health Center and Medical Director with the Molokai General Hospital.  He has been the Chair of the Commission for four terms and is a founding member of the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana.  Apart from his community service activities relating to Kahoolawe, Dr. Aluli has also been heavily involved in many rehabilitation projects including overseeing the work on the Ala Loa trail, rebuilding the Hale Halawai, and establishing a water catchment system to revegetate native plants.  He has demonstrated a strong commitment to the perpetuation of Hawaiian cultural values and will continue to be a valuable asset to the Commission.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Christopher Baker from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, University of Hawaii, Protect Kahoolawe Ohana, and eight individuals.

 

     Mr. Baker is has been serving as an interim member of the Commission since June 2011.  He currently teaches Hawaiian language and is a doctoral candidate at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Mr. Baker has been a member of the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana since 1993 and was the lead cultural practitioner for the makahiki ceremony on Kahoolawe.  His understanding and commitment as an expert in Hawaiian language and cultural traditions makes him an exceptional nominee for the Commission.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair