STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1706

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 813, 814, 815, 816

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 813, 814, 815, and 816, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Island Burial Council, Island of Oahu

 

G.M. No. 813

HINALEIMOANA WONG-KALU,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 814

KALI FERMANTEZ,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021;

 

G.M. No. 815

BEVERLY AMARAL,

for a term to expire 06-30-2021; and

 

G.M. No. 816

DANNA HOLCK,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Kali Fermantez, Beverly Amaral, and Danna Holck to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Island Burial Council, Island of Oahu.

 

HINALEIMOANA WONG-KALU

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and three individuals.

 

     Ms. Wong-Kalu was born and raised in the Kona region of O‘ahu.  Her past employers includes Kula Aupuni Ni‘ihau A Kahelelani Aloha School, Kuaokala School, Ke Ola Mamo Native Hawaiian Health Care System, Leeward Community College, Queen Lili‘uokalani Children's Center, and the University of Hawai‘i.  She formerly served as Chair of the O‘ahu Island Burial Council, where she earned the respect of her fellow members as well as that of the general Hawai‘i community.  She is a well-respected kumu hula and speaks Hawaiian, Tahitian, Tongan, and Samoan fluently.

 

KALI FERMANTEZ

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Kali Fermantez from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

 

     Dr. Fermantez was born and raised and continues to live in the Ko‘olauloa region of O‘ahu.  Dr. Fermantez is currently an Assistant Professor of Hawaiian and Pacific Studies at Brigham Young University-Lā‘ie.  He is a member of the Ko‘olauloa Hawaiian Civic Club and serves as a basketball, baseball, and soccer assistant coach in his community.  Dr. Fermantez's strong understanding of the Hawaiian culture brings an assertive, yet fair voice to the proper treatment of native Hawaiian burials.

 

BEVERLY AMARAL

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Beverly Amaral from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

 

     Ms. Amaral is a resident of Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu, and wishes to represent the Ko‘olaupoko district, a district that has not been represented on the Council for a very long time.  Ms. Amaral has a Certificate of Real Estate/License and attended San Francisco State University.  She is also an active member of the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce.  Ms. Amaral has been serving on the O‘ahu Island Burial Council since 2016.

 

DANNA HOLCK

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the reappointment of Danna Holck from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Polynesian Cultural Center; Turtle Bay Resort; Ku‘iwalu; Kualoa-He‘eia Ecumenical Youth Project; N.S.O.G, LLC; TLC PR; Hauula Community Association; and seven individuals.

 

     Ms. Holck was born and raised in Kailua, O‘ahu.  After pursuing her career on the mainland and in Puerto Rico, Ms. Holck returned to Hawai‘i and became employed with Turtle Bay Resort, where she is currently the Vice-President and General Manager.  Under her leadership, the hotel has succeeded in introducing a culturally-sensitive environment.  Ms. Holck has been an active member of the Hawaiian community and regularly attends O‘ahu Island Burial Council meetings.  She has dedicated herself to ensuring iwi kupuna is handled in the most respectful and honorable way.  She has been serving on the O‘ahu Island Burial Council since 2013 and has proven her qualifications by providing fair and sensitive opinions.

 

     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