STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2936

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 519, 520, 527

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 519, 520, and 527, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Island Burial Council, Islands of Kauai and Niihau

 

G.M. No. 519

JANET BRADFORD,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015;

 

G.M. No. 520

WAYNE HARADA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2018; and

 

G.M. No. 527

LEIANA ROBINSON,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Janet Bradford, Wayne Harada, and Leiana Robinson to possess the requisite commitment, sincerity, dedication, and qualifications to be nominated to the Island Burial Council, Islands of Kauai and Niihau.

 

JANET BRADFORD

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this nominee from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kauai Chamber of Commerce, and one individual.

 

     Ms. Bradford has a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences and Humanities from the University of Hawaii at West Oahu.  She earned a Master's degree in Pacific Islands Studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  She currently works for the Office of Economic Development for the County of Kauai as an Administrator and as a Kahu and Cultural Practitioner with Kualu/Haupu Family Traditions.  She worked previously as an Employment/Counselor Specialist and a Coordinator for the Summer Youth Employment Program for the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and is an active member of numerous organizations in her community, including the Kauai Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce and the Kauai Aha Hui Kaahumanu Society.  Ms. Bradford brings with her fifty years of experience in the daily practice of Hawaiian values, beliefs, and traditions and will be an asset to the Island Burial Council, Islands of Kauai and Niihau. 

 

WAYNE HARADA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this nominee from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Island Burial Council, Islands of Kauai and Niihau; Island Burial Council, Island of Oahu; Hanalei Hawaiian Civic Club; Na Lei Naauao; Limahuli Garden and Preserve; and eight individuals.

 

     Mr. Harada studied Hawaiian Studies and Hawaiian Botany at Kauai Community College and earned his teacher certification from Halau Wanana.  He is currently the Hawaiian Studies Specialist at Kanuikapono Public Charter School.  He is also a Cultural Advisor and board member of the Pualani Foundation and a Cultural Instructor and Cultural Advisor for Na Pua Noeau, a program for gifted and talented Native Hawaiian children.  He previously taught Hawaiian Studies at Kanuikapono Learning Center and served as the Educational Coordinator for Hanalei Watershed Hui.  As an active member of his community, he provides cultural classes to the Hanalei Hawaii Civic Club and Na Pua Noeau.  He also provides after-school cultural enrichment classes for at-risk Native Hawaiian students in traditional Hawaiian fishing and farming, and he is a cultural practitioner of hula.  Mr. Harada's longstanding and firm commitment to the perpetuation of Native Hawaiian cultural traditions and practices will serve the Island Burial Council, Islands of Kauai and Niihau, well.

 


LEIANA ROBINSON

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this nominee from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Aha Moku Advisory Committee; Island Burial Council, Islands of Kauai and Niihau; Pai Aina Communications; and two individuals. 

 

     Ms. Robinson was born on Niihau and speaks the Hawaiian language, giving her a deep and unique understanding of and appreciation for her kupuna and traditional protocols regarding the treatment of kupuna iwi.  Ms. Robinson has previously served on the Island Burial Council, Islands of Kauai and Niihau, and her dedication to her community and her extensive knowledge of the Niihau culture makes Ms. Robinson an invaluable asset to the Island Burial Council, Islands of Kauai and Niihau. 

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on 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 Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair