STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2883

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 513, 514, 515

 

 

 

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. 513, 514, and 515, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

 

Island Burial Council, Island of Molokai

 

G.M. No. 513

FRANCES COBB-ADAMS,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015;

 

G.M. No. 514

MICHELLE PESCAIA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2016; and

 

G.M. No. 515

EDWARD AYAU,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories and resumes submitted by the nominees and finds Frances Cobb-Adams, Michelle Pescaia, and Edward Ayau to possess the requisite commitment, sincerity, dedication, and qualifications to be nominated to the Island Burial Council, Island of Molokai.

 

FRANCES COBB-ADAMS

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this nominee from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

 

     Ms. Cobb-Adams earned a Bachelor's degree in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Currently, she is employed as the Resource Center Manager for Kamehameha Schools working on a number of educational and cultural programs.  She has also taught Hawaiian Language/Hawaiian Studies at the Molokai Education Center since 2003.  Among other jobs, she worked as a Site Coordinator at Na Pua No‘eau, the Center for Gifted and Talented Native Hawaiian Children, planning and coordinating natural and environmental science activities for Hawaiian students participating in the Na Pua No‘eau Pathways Program.

 

     Ms. Cobb-Adams previously served on the Island Burial Council and has expressed great interest in continuing her service.  In addition to Ms. Cobb-Adam's significant professional experience, Ms. Cobb-Adam's passion for Hawaiian culture and values, especially honoring and caring for her kupuna, make Ms. Cobb-Adams an ideal candidate for the Island Burial Council, Island of Molokai.

 

MICHELLE PESCAIA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this nominee from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

 

     Ms. Pescaia pursued a degree in Hawaiian Language from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  She has a wealth of experience in community programs that teach and develop the Hawaiian language and values.  Among other jobs, she was employed as a Case Manager and Communications Director for Ho‘ikaika Youth Opportunity Program; a Cultural Advisor for Ka Li‘i Mamo, Mohala Ka ‘Ike, Maui Community College; and a Hawaiian Immersion Preschool teacher for Punana Leo O Molokai.  Most recently, she served as the Molokai Site Coordinator for Na Pua No‘eau, providing opportunities for youth to develop intellectually and artistically through culturally sensitive programs, and to be active members of their community.

 

     Ms. Pescaia has served on numerous community boards and commissions, including as a Commissioner of the Molokai Planning Commission and as the Cultural Advisor and Resource to the Kalaupapa National Historical Park.  She has also previously served on the Molokai Island Burial Council.  Ms. Pescaia is constantly bringing attention to iwi issues on Molokai and is passionate about educating the next generation to care for the iwi kupuna.

 

EDWARD AYAU

 

     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, Pae ‘Aina Communications, and one individual.

 

     Mr. Ayau received a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Redlands and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado School of Law.  He currently serves as the Acting District Supervisor for the Molokai District Office of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.  Among other jobs, he previously served as the Project Manager for Ola Na Iwi Phase I to III where he managed a federal grant to repatriate 900 sets of iwi kupuna and moepu from museums in the United States and Scotland, and organized 38 cultural education workshops to teach Native Hawaiian communities to care for ancient burial sites.  As Counsel for the Minority Staff on the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, he advised Vice Chairman Senator Daniel K. Inouye on legal and policy issues relating to Hawaii, including the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.  For several years, he also served as the Director of the Burial Sites Program for the Department of Land and Natural Resources Historic Preservation Division.  As a Staff Attorney with the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, he helped draft state legislation that restored the responsibility of oversight of ancient burial sites to Native Hawaiians.  As a prolific lecturer and writer on Native Hawaiian burial rights, Mr. Ayau is an ideal candidate for the Island Burial Council, Island of Molokai. 

 

     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