GM 686

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1949

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 680, 681, 686

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 680, 681, and 686, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Island Burial Council - Island of Hawai'i

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Leimana Abenes, Cyrus Seto, and Shantel Freeman for service on the Island Burial Council, Island of Hawaiʻi.

LEIMANA ABENES

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Leimana Abenes from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Abenes' background and dedication to the preservation of Hawaiian cultural practices qualify her to be appointed to the Island Burial Council, Island of Hawaiʻi, as a member representing Kohala.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Abenes has worked in the field of Hawaiian cultural education since 1990.  She is currently a performing artist and entertainer, singing traditional Hawaiian music locally and internationally.  She previously taught Hawaiian Studies to high school students on Hawaiʻi Island as a Kumu Kākoʻo.  Ms. Abenes has strong genealogical connections to the Kohala district and was raised to uphold her familial cultural and linguistic traditions, including Native Hawaiian healing and spiritual practices.  She considers the protection of iwi kupuna to be a guiding principle in the resolution of difficult decisions faced by the Island Burial Councils.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Abenes has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of council members and her extensive experience in traditional Hawaiian cultural practices will enhance the effectiveness of the Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Leimana Abenes be appointed to the Island Burial Council, Island of Hawaiʻi, based on her unique cultural awareness, advocacy for indigenous traditions, and indispensable knowledge of the land of Kohala.

CYRUS SETO

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Cyrus Seto from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Seto's extensive work and educational background in Hawaiian Studies qualify him to be appointed to the Island Burial Council, Island of Hawaiʻi, as a member representing Hilo.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Seto has been a professional educator in the field of Hawaiian language and culture since 2009.  He received his Doctorate in Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2022 and has conducted several specialized conference presentations on indigeneity in education.  Mr. Seto currently teaches ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at Nā Wai Ola Public Charter School, and he previously taught the Hawaiian language at several other schools and university campuses across the State.  He has participated in the repatriation and care of iwi kupuna on multiple islands over the past twenty years, and has strong, established connections to Hilo, where he was raised.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Seto has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of council members and his prioritization of indigenous epistemology will enhance the effectiveness of the Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Cyrus Seto be appointed to the Island Burial Council, Island of Hawaiʻi, based on his lived commitment to ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, place-based knowledge, and understanding of Hawaiian cultural values.

SHANTEL FREEMAN

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Shantel Freeman from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Freeman's cultural expertise and community-based advocacy qualify her to be appointed to the Island Burial Council, Island of Hawaiʻi, as a member representing Puna.  Your Committee notes that Ms. Freeman has worked in community health and education since 2023.  She is currently a Health Education Program Assistant at Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi and a Quality Improvement Specialist for Wellcare By ʻOhana Health Plan.  Previously, she held several public-facing office and retail positions, enhancing her ability to work well with others.  Ms. Freeman has been a lifelong practitioner of Native Hawaiian cultural practices and ancestral stewardship.  She has participated in preparing and protecting iwi kupuna in Waipiʻo Valley and Paukaʻa, adding to her deep sense of responsibility in upholding traditional practice and protocol.  Ms. Freeman has genealogical ties to Moku o Keawe and currently resides in Puna.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Freeman has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of council members and her commitment to working with the Puna community will enhance the effectiveness of the Council.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Shantel Freeman be appointed to the Island Burial Council, Island of Hawaiʻi, based on her background in cultural education, advocacy, and research.

     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,