STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1722

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 254

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 254, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

KAHO`OLAWE ISLAND RESERVE COMMISSION

CRAIG NEFF, for a term to expire June 30, 2005;

COLETTE P. MACHADO, for a term to expire June 30, 2005,

begs leave to report as follows:

Testimony in support of Craig Neff was received from the Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) and the Protect Kaho`olawe Ohana (PKO). Testimony in support of Colette P. Machado was received from the KIRC and a private citizen.

Your Committee finds that Craig Neff served on the KIRC from its inception in 1994 until June of 1999. He is aware of the challenges that face the KIRC, particularly the issues that loom as KIRC prepares to take over full management of the island in 2003. He also brings to the KIRC a wealth of experience he has gained by participation in the PKO accesses to Kaho'olawe, PKO negotiations with the Navy, and his service on the Governor's Kaho'olawe Planning Committee. On a more spiritual plane, Craig Neff is a Mo'olono, a leader in the conduct of chants, ceremonies and rituals honoring Lono, the god of agriculture.

Your Committee also finds that Colette P. Machado has been involved with Kaho'olawe since the island's rebirth twenty-five years ago. She is a valued member of the PKO and was involved in their efforts, first to stop the bombing of the island, and now, to rejuvenate its damaged environment.

Colette P. Machado served the KIRC at its beginning in 1994. At that time, she filled a seat reserved for a nominee of the PKO. She served in that role until she was elected to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) in 1996. She has since returned to the KIRC as the OHA representative at the end of 1997.

Colette P. Machado presently serves as Vice Chairperson for the KIRC and has volunteered to head a critical Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee that is leading the KIRC to a position of readiness to take over full management of the island when the Navy cleanup is completed at the end of 2003. She will provide critical continuity to the KIRC in this important transition period.

Upon review of the testimony and the statements submitted by the nominee, your Committee finds that Craig Neff and Colette P. Machado possess the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the KIRC.

As affirmed by the record 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, character, 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,

____________________________

JONATHAN CHUN, Chair