STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1719

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 608

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 608, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Kahana Valley Living Park Planning Council

 

G.M. No. 608

SHAUNA KAHIAPO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Shauna Kahiapo to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Kahana Valley Living Park Planning Council.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Shauna Kahiapo from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

 

     Shauna Kahiapo has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from the University of Hawaii West Oahu, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law with Certificates in Native Hawaiian Law and Environmental Law.  Ms. Kahiapo is a Principal at Shauna L. K. Kahiapo, Attorney at Law.  Ms. Kahiapo has extensive community and civic involvement, including serving as co-founder of Kahana Kilo Kai, and volunteer at the Domestic Violence Action Center, Ka Mala Lani, Aloha Dressage Society, Hooulu Āina, and Ka Huli Ao Native Hawaiian Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law and is a member of the Prince Kūhio Hawaiian Civic Club.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Kahiapo's background, experience, and commitment to public service further qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Kahana Valley Living Park Planning Council.  Testifiers commented that the nominee brings to the Council a variety of real estate experience and noted her extensive community volunteerism.  Ms. Kahiapo indicates in her personal statement that Kahana Valley holds a special place in her heart and that she recognizes the challenges and significance of preserving the unique historical and cultural resources in Kahana Valley.  Ms. Kahiapo notes that the legal and practical skills she learned in law school and in her other civic positions will be of use in her service on the Council and, along with her education and experience, make her uniquely qualified to serve on the Council.

 

     Your Committee notes that the nominee has an extended family member who currently lives in the Kahana Valley Living Park.  After an extensive discussion with the nominee, and consultation with the Ethics Commission, your Committee is confident that the nominee will be able to dutifully serve as the representative of the general public on the Kahana Valley Living Park Planning Council.  Your Committee concludes that Ms. Kahiapo's knowledge, experience, and community leadership will be an asset to the Council.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

 

 

 

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair