Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 8, 1 August 2013 — ISLAND BURIAL COUNCILS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ISLAND BURIAL COUNCILS

With the enactment of the new island burial councils law (see "2013 Legislative Review"), OHA is now focusing on helping to fill vacancies on the five island burial councils so that the councils ean meet to uphold their important kuleana of protecting iwi kupuna. OHA is seeking qualified applicants that we will recommend the governor appoint to the island burial councils. The deadline to submit applications to OHA is Oct. 18. While OHA's immediate goal is to make recommendations for current and impending vacancies (see graphic), our long-term goal is to create a pool of applicants who are willing and qualified to serve on every eouneil seat. This way, as eouneil seats heeome vacant, either because of expired terms or unexpected resignations, OHA does not have to scramble to find replacement members and possibly risk councils not meeting because of laek of quorum. Therefore, we are also accepting applicants for eouneil seats that are currently filled. SELECTION PR0CESS Island burial eouneil members are appointed by the govemor and confirmed by the Senate. By law, at least two of the regional representatives selected for eaeh eouneil must eome from a list of nominees provided by OHA.

OHA's recommendation is based on an applicant's ability to fulfill the legal requirement that they understand "the culture, history, burial beliefs, customs and practices of the native Hawaiians" in the region they seek to represent. Applicants must also demonstrate their commitment to participate actively in monthly burial eouneil meetings and occasional site visits. KULEANA 0F BURIAL C0UNCILS The burial councils play a crucial role in the care of iwi kupuna found in Native Hawaiian burial sites. Council members meet on a monthly basis to: • Determine whether previously identified Native Hawaiian burial sites will be preserved in plaee or relocated; • Assist the Department of Land and Natural Resources and its State Historic Preservation Division in developing an inventory of Native Hawaiian huiial sites; and • Make recommendations regarding the appropriate management, treatment and protection of Native Hawaiian burial sites, and on any other matters related to Native Hawaiian burial sites. If you are interested in applying for a nomination to your island burial eouneil, visit www. oha.org/burialcouncils. — Sterling Wong ■

J EA S > GOVERNANCE /

www.oha.org/kwo | kwo@OHA.org NATIVE HAWAIIAN » NEWS | FEATURES | EVENTS