HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 037 2022/01/05 (2020-2022) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: January 5, 2022 Re: Comm. No. 552
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 552, reports as
follows:
Communication No. 552, submitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth dated November 22, 2021,
submitting for the Council's review and confirmation of the nomination of Kealohanuiopuna
Kinney to the Hawaii County Cultural Resources Commission.
Mr. Kinney, born and raised on Hawaii Island, earned his Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary
Biology from Brown University in 2016 and serves as a mentor and advocate for graduate and
undergraduate students in STEM fields. Mr. Kinney has worked in many capacities in research
and development for the USDA and Forest Service and is currently a Research Ecologist with
the Pacific Southwest Station. In addition to a range of published research, Mr. Kinney has
earned numerous honors and awards, including the International Society for Ethnobiology (ISE)
Conference Travel Award for his presentation at the 14th Congress on Native Hawaiian Tenure
and Conservation Action; and belongs to a multitude of professional societies, including Charles
Darwin Foundation, and Hawaii Conservation Alliance. If confirmed, he will serve a term to
end December 31, 2026.
Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Pomaika`i Bartolome, was present via Zoom to introduce
Mr. Kinney. Mr. Kinney appeared via Zoom and introduced himself to Your Committee and
explained his background serving in the U.S. Forest Service, and how he values taking care of
his community and the `aina he grew up in.
Committee Members Sue Lee Loy, Heather Kimball, and Maile David praised Mr. Kinney on his
character and work ethic, noting that he is an excellent nomination for this Commission.
Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz noted that she appreciates Mr. Kinney's indigenous
framework and perspective and thanked him for stepping up to serve his community.
The vote was then taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable
recommendation and passed with 9 "ayes"
PC Report No.: 37
PC-37 Page 2 January 5,2022
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Communication
No. 552, and recommends confirmation of the appointment of Kealohanuiopuna Kinney to the
Hawaii County Cultural Resources Commission.
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AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully Submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID X COMMITTEE ON PL NNING
INABA X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL X
LEE LOY X ASWEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
RICHARDS X PC REPORT NO.: 37__
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: JAN-1 2022