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Committee defers one nominee, advises and consents to four island burial-council nominees
Summary
The Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs on April 1 deferred a Molokai nomination after the nominee asked to pause amid long‑running quorum concerns, and unanimously advised and consented to four other nominees for island burial councils after public testimony from family members, cultural stewards and agency staff.
The Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs deferred decision on one Molokai Island Burial Council nomination and approved four other nominations during its April 1 meeting in Conference Room 224.
The deferred nomination involved Kawai Puna Kalipi, nominated to the Molokai Island Burial Council. Kalipi, who testified by video, asked the committee to hold her nomination until the council has enough members to achieve quorum; she later formally asked to withdraw the nomination from consideration at this session. Committee members then proceeded to advise and consent to nominees for Maui, Molokai/Maui/Lanai and Lahaina‑reserved seats.
Why it matters: Island burial councils are the statutory bodies that review and advise on discovery, treatment and protection of iwi kūpuna and burial sites. Several testifiers said vacancies and long stretches without quorum have left councils unable to act, exposing fragile cultural sites to risk and legal vulnerability.
Committee…
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