SSCR3920

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3920

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 729, 730, 731

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 729, 730, and 731, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority

G.M. No. 729

JOSHUA MANGAUIL,

for a term to expire 06-30-2028. (Term to expire amended to 06-30-2027 by GM756);

G.M. No. 730

GARY KRUG, JR.,

for a term to expire 06-30-2028. (Term to expire amended to 06-30-2027 by GM756); and

G.M. No. 731

POMAIKALANI BERTELMANN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2028. (Term to expire amended to 06-30-2027 by GM756),

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Joshua Mangauil; Gary Krug, Jr.; and Pomaikalani Bertelmann for service on the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority.

JOSHUA MANGAUIL

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Joshua Mangauil from two individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Mangauil's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him for reappointment to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority as a member. Mr. Mangauil studied Hawaiian Lifestyles at Hawaiʻi Community College and graduated as a Kumu Hula in 2020 with Uniki rites. Your Committee notes that Mr. Mangauil has been serving on the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority since 2023 as a Hawaiian cultured practitioner representative board member. Mr. Mangauil is the present Executive Director and Head Instructor at HŌʻĀ Hawaii, an organization he founded in collaboration with other visionary community members eager to support Hawaiian cultural education by providing cultural learning opportunities for the community and visitors of all ages. Mr. Mangauil is also contracted by Kanu o ka ʻĀina New Century Public Charter School. Before his work with HŌʻĀ, Mr. Mangauil worked for the Department of Education as a Kumu ʻIke, providing Hawaiian cultural- and place-based education to students at Honokaʻa and Waiakea. Your Committee further finds that Mr. Mangauil thoroughly understands the role and responsibilities of board members and his knowledge, experience, and dedication to Native Hawaiian issues will continue to be assets to the Mauna Kea Oversight and Stewardship Authority. Your Committee therefore recommends that Joshua Mangauil be reappointed to the Mauna Kea Oversight and Stewardship Authority as a member who is a recognized practitioner of Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

GARY KRUG, JR.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Gary Krug, Jr. from two individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Krug, Jr.'s background and dedication to serving the public qualify him for reappointment to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority as a member. Mr. Krug, Jr. holds a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and has held a Hawaiʻi State Teacher Certification and License since 2001. Your Committee notes that Mr. Krug, Jr. has served on the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority since 2023. Mr. Krug, Jr. is currently the principal of Ka Waihona o ka Naʻauao Public Charter School. Before working at Ka Waihona o ka Naʻauao, Mr. Krug, Jr. was employed by the Office of Hawaiian Education of the Department of Education as a Kaiapuni Section Educational Specialist II from 2015 to 2019. Mr. Krug, Jr. has also taught at the university level and has published scholarly monographs and given numerous scholarly presentations on Native Hawaiian culture and perspectives in education. Your Committee further finds that Mr. Krug, Jr. thoroughly understands the role and responsibilities of board members and his knowledge and experience will continue to be assets to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. Your Committee therefore recommends that Gary Krug, Jr. be reappointed to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight authority as a member who is recognized as possessing expertise in the fields of preschool through 12th‑grade public education or post-secondary education based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

POMAIKALANI BERTELMANN

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Pomaikalani Bertelmann from twelve individuals.

Upon review of the testimony and the nominee's personal statement, your Committee finds that Ms. Bertelmann's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her for reappointment to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority as a member. Ms. Bertelmann holds a Lifestyles Certificate in Hawaiian Lifestyles from Hawaiʻi Community College and is in the process of completing her Bachelor of Arts at BYU Idaho with focuses on family and human services and genealogical research and family history. Your Committee notes that Ms. Bertelmann has served on the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority since 2023. She is currently employed by Kanu o Ka ʻĀina New Century Public Charter School as Kumu Alakaʻi and as Hoʻokele Haumāna and ʻAe Like Coordinator. In these roles, her responsibilities include the instruction of students in ʻāina-based education to create opportunities for students to engage with practitioners of place and understand their ways of knowing. Your Committee also notes that Ms. Bertelmann has received extensive training in Native Hawaiian practices and holds several certificates from various organizations that emphasize indigenous knowledge and place-based education. Your Committee further finds that Ms. Bertelmann thoroughly understands the role and responsibilities of board members and her knowledge of Hawaiian tradition and customs and experience will continue to be assets to the Mauna Kea Oversight and Stewardship Authority. Your Committee therefore recommends that Pomaikalani Bertelmann be reappointed to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority as a member who is a lineal descendent of a practitioner of Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices associated with Mauna Kea based on her knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

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

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair