The Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs today voted to recommend
that the Senate not advise and consent to the nomination of Ikaika Anderson for the position of Chairperson for the Department of Hawaiian Homelands.
The hearing, which lasted five hours, included testimony from Governor Josh Green, former Governor Neil Abercrombie, several former lawmakers, and numerous community organizations
and individuals.
The vote was 4-1, with Senators Maile Shimabukuro, Kurt Fevella, Jarrett Keohokālole, and Les Ihara voting in favor of the recommendation to not advise and consent. Senator Tim Richards was the lone vote in opposition to the recommendation.
“While Ikaika is a good person, his evasiveness and unpreparedness before the Senate Committee on Ways and Means were too much to overcome,” said Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, co-chair of the Legislature’s Native Hawaiian Caucus. “His misrepresentation of the commission’s viewpoints on the $600 million plan significantly influenced my decision.”
Despite the committee’s recommendation, Anderson’s nomination will move forward for a vote and final consideration by the full 25-member Senate.
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