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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PLANNING <br /> DATE: January 5, 2022 Re: Comm. No. 552 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 9:00 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 552, reports as <br /> follows: <br /> Communication No. 552, submitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth dated November 22, 2021, <br /> submitting for the Council's review and confirmation of the nomination of Kealohanuiopuna <br /> Kinney to the Hawaii County Cultural Resources Commission. <br /> Mr. Kinney, born and raised on Hawaii Island, earned his Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary <br /> Biology from Brown University in 2016 and serves as a mentor and advocate for graduate and <br /> undergraduate students in STEM fields. Mr. Kinney has worked in many capacities in research <br /> and development for the USDA and Forest Service and is currently a Research Ecologist with <br /> the Pacific Southwest Station. In addition to a range of published research, Mr. Kinney has <br /> earned numerous honors and awards, including the International Society for Ethnobiology (ISE) <br /> Conference Travel Award for his presentation at the 14th Congress on Native Hawaiian Tenure <br /> and Conservation Action; and belongs to a multitude of professional societies, including Charles <br /> Darwin Foundation, and Hawaii Conservation Alliance. If confirmed, he will serve a term to <br /> end December 31, 2026. <br /> Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Pomaika`i Bartolome, was present via Zoom to introduce <br /> Mr. Kinney. Mr. Kinney appeared via Zoom and introduced himself to Your Committee and <br /> explained his background serving in the U.S. Forest Service, and how he values taking care of <br /> his community and the `aina he grew up in. <br /> Committee Members Sue Lee Loy, Heather Kimball, and Maile David praised Mr. Kinney on his <br /> character and work ethic, noting that he is an excellent nomination for this Commission. <br /> Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz noted that she appreciates Mr. Kinney's indigenous <br /> framework and perspective and thanked him for stepping up to serve his community. <br /> The vote was then taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable <br /> recommendation and passed with 9 "ayes" <br /> PC Report No.: 37 <br />