STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2701

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 306, 308, 309, 310

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 306, 308, 309, and 310, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Kahana Valley Living Park Planning Council

 

G.M. No. 306

MAY LEILANI AU,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013;

 

G.M. No. 308

RICHARD K. PAGLINAWAN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2012;

 

G.M. No. 309

BENJAMIN DANIEL SHAFER,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011; and

 

G.M. No. 310

LAUREN A. TANAKA,

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 May Leinani Au, Richard K. Paglinawan, Benjamin Daniel Shafer, and Lauren A. Tanaka to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Kahana Valley Living Park Planning Council. 

 

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Ms. Au was submitted by one state agency.

 

     Ms. Au is retired after forty years as Postmaster of the Hauula, Kaneohe, and Kailua United States Postal Service stations.  She is a Director of the Koolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, a member of the Koolauloa Hawaiian Civic Club, and a Kupuna Council member of the Koolauloa Community Health and Wellness Center.  Ms. Au is the Treasurer of the Kahana Community Association, and is the volunteer organizer of the opening of the Kahana store.  She is actively involved with the cultural programs provided for visitors, school groups, and other organizations who visit Kahana Valley.

 

     Ms. Au presently resides in Kahana Valley, and will serve as a representative of families who reside in Kahana Valley.  She and her husband raised seven children in Kahana Valley in the 1960s.  Ms. Au has a vested interest in the success of Kahana Valley as a cultural living park.  She will provide wise guidance in the development of a master plan for Kahana Valley that integrates the cultural heritage of the residents and the State's mandate to preserve the natural condition of the Valley while retaining its historic value for the enjoyment of the public. 

 

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Mr. Paglinawan was submitted by one state agency.

 

     Mr. Paglinawan received his Bachelor's degree and Master's degree from the University of Hawaii in social work.  He served as the Deputy Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Department of Social Services and Housing, and Administrator for the Hawaii Housing Authority and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.  Mr. Paglinawan has served on the Hawaii Historic Places Review Board, the Kaliuwaa Citizens Advisory Committee, the Bishop Museum Board of Directors, and is an active member of Malama Ohana. 

 

     Mr. Paglinawan will serve as a representative of the public.  He has hiked Kahana Valley from the summit to the ocean and knows the legends, history, and archaeological site restoration efforts including Huilua fishpond.  Mr. Paglinawan is knowledgeable about Hawaiian culture and practices, and has demonstrated experience working with government and volunteer community groups.  He understands that a strong partnership between the State and Kahana Valley residents will preserve and perpetuate the cultural, traditional, and spiritual significance of the ahupuaa and its people. 

 

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Mr. Shafer was submitted by one state agency.

 

     Mr. Shafer received his Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University – Hawaii in political science and government history.  He is presently employed as a Technician with the Local 665 International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.  Mr. Shafer served with the United States Air Force and received the Commendation Medal.  He is the President of the Friends of Kahana and a founding member of the Kahana Community Association. 

 

     Mr. Shafer will serve as a representative of families who reside in Kahana Valley.  He has extensive experience with the planning for Kahana Valley, having served on the Kahana Advisory Council I to develop the Kahana Development Plan, Hui O Malama O Kahana, and the Kahana Advisory Council II to develop a report on interpretive programs, goals, and resources.  Mr. Shafer's extensive experience with planning lends to his ability to move meetings forward and follow agendas.  He is committed to producing a master plan in the prescribed time period.  Mr. Shafer is also supportive of the goal of providing interpretive programs that rely on the talents of the residents of Kahana Valley for the cultural enrichment of visitors to the park. 

 

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Ms. Tanaka was submitted by one state agency.

 

     Ms. Tanaka received her Bachelor's degree in Hawaiian Studies and her Master's degree in Political Science from the University of Hawaii.  She has more than twenty years experience as a Planner for the State, and is presently employed by the Planning Branch of the Division of State Parks.  One of her primary responsibilities with the Division is the development of statewide park master plans, for which she has worked with community groups such as the Kaluanui Advisory Group, the South Kona - Kau Coastal Conservation Task Force, and the Kokee State Park Advisory Council. 

 

     Ms. Tanaka will represent the Department of Land and Natural Resources.  She appreciates working with people with diverse interests and is dedicated to finding mutually beneficial resolutions.  She was chosen by the Department to represent it because of her objectivity and impartiality regarding Kahana Valley. 

 

     Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and 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 Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair