STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1620

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 669, 670, 671

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Labor, Culture and the Arts, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 669, 670, and 671, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Commission

 

G.M. No. 669

RONALD MICHIOKA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2025;

 

G.M. No. 670

SKYE CORREA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2025; and

 

G.M. No. 671

NALANI BRUN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2025,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Ronald Michioka, Skye Correa, and Nalani Brun, for service on the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Commission (Commission).

 

RONALD MICHIOKA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Ronald Michioka from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

 

     Upon review of the testimony and Mr. Michioka's qualifications, your Committee finds that Mr. Michioka holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he was a candidate for a Master of Fine Arts in sculpture.  From 1979 through 1985, Mr. Michioka served as a Cataloguer and Curator for the Art in Public Places Program administered by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.  He also served as a Visual Arts Consultant for many years, advising the foundation on purchase of art for the state art collection.  Your Commission notes that in addition to his expertise and passion for the arts, Mr. Michioka has a successful legal career.  He obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and is currently a partner at Chong, Nishimoto, Sia, Nakamura & Goya, L.L.L.P.  During his legal career, Mr. Michioka has handled various matters involving artists and museums on issues such as breach of contracts and violation of copyright.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Michioka has been serving as a member of the Commission for the past four years and that his expertise and considerable experience as an artist, Cataloguer, Curator, Visual Arts Consultant, and lawyer will continue to be great assets to the Commission.

 

SKYE CORREA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Skye Correa from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

 

     Upon review of the testimony and Mr. Correa's qualifications, your Committee finds that Mr. Correa's expertise and experience in education, community outreach, exhibit design, and curatorial innovation qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Commission.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Correa currently serves as a Curator with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, Smithsonian Institution, which is a migratory museum established to enrich the American Story with the voices of Asian Pacific Americans by bringing history, art, and culture through innovative community-focused experiences.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Correa obtained various degrees from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, including a Master's degree in Education Technology; Master's degree in Library and Information Science; and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, and is expected to graduate in 2022 as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Learning Design and Technology with focus on Cultural Education via Immersive Environments.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Correa's previous professional experiences include positions such as Manager with the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Office of Marine National Sanctuaries; Information Technology Specialist with the Edwin H. Mookini Library, University of Hawaii at Hilo; and Exhibits Manager and Interim Facilities Manager with the Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, University of Hawaii at Hilo.

 

     Section 9-2(b), Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires the Commission to have as members, at least one resident from each of the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui.  Mr. Correa will serve on the Commission as a resident of the County of Hawaii.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Correa's solid background in Hawaiian history, information research, educational foundations, outreach technology pedagogy, and event and programmatic curation will be valuable assets to the Commission.

 

NALANI BRUN

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Nalani Brun from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

 

     Upon review of the testimony and Ms. Brun's qualifications, your Committee finds that Ms. Brun has over forty-five years of experience in the entertainment and visitor industry as well as over twenty-seven years of service as a government employee.  Ms. Brun is currently the Director of the County of Kauai Office of Economic Development.  Her previous positions with the County of Kauai include Economic Development Specialist for Tourism and Program Administrative Officer.  Ms. Brun's professional focus is on recovery of culture, maintaining relationships with cultural organizations and organizing festivals and events.  Ms. Brun is also a professional vocalist and dancer who has been performing hula and other dances and songs of the Pacific region in the visitor industry.  Her prior experience also includes being a fitness instructor working primarily with Native Hawaiians.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Brun has been serving as a member of the Commission as a resident of the County of Kauai for the past four years, and that her knowledge and experience in the visitor industry, her passion for dance, music, and culture, as well as her commitment to public service will continue to be valuable assets to the Commission.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor, Culture and the Arts 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 Labor, Culture and the Arts,

 

 

 

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair