HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0019.026 2016-2018 P/GREDc
Murashige, Laura
From: William Wilson <wilsonwi@hawaii.edu> COUNTY CLERK
Sent: Tuesday,January 03, 2017 8:44 AM COUNTY OF HAWAII
To: Council Testimony RECEIVED
Subject: support for J. Kamelamela Date—=
Aloha Chair Kanuha and Council Members of the Governmental Relations and Economic Development
Committee:
I wish to provide supporting testimony for the confirmation of Joseph K. Kamelamela as Corporation
Counsel. I strongly support his confirmation.
My name is Dr. William H. Wilson. I am a full professor at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo in the College of
Hawaiian Language, Ka Haka 'Ula 0 Keelikolani. I have been a resident of the county of Hawai`i since
1978. However, I have known Mr. Kamelamela since my youth in Honolulu where we both worked in the
summer for Hawaiian Bitumals, a road paving company. Following that he married a University of Hawai`i at
Manoa classmate of mine,Napua Brown. We have also maintained contact in Hilo since we both moved here
from O`ahu.
My knowledge of Mr. Kamelamela extends to my professional interest in the Hawaiian speaking-kupuna of the
lower Puna area,where he has strong roots. I never heard anything negative regarding Joe from those
kupuna. On the contrary, have seen that Joe was not only raised with the same strong community values and
aloha exhibited by those kupuna, but also continues to live his life from that strong base.
I have had many opportunities to observe Mr. Kamelamela in a variety of circumstances and have always found
him to be a very level headed and fair minded individual. He has a strong moral sense and concern for justice
for all people from all levels of society and ethnic backgrounds. From the time of our youth he was known as
someone with a strong intellect,yet he is known for his humble demeanor and approachable personality.
Joseph Kamelamela is an outstanding individual and someone I am proud to have known for over forty-five
years. I strongly urge that his position as Corporation Counsel be confirmed by the Governmental Relations
and Economic Development Committee.
SIGNED
Dr. William H. Wilson, Ph.D.
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