The Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs on April 10 advised and consented to five gubernatorial nominees for island burial councils and the Hawaiian Homes Commission, voting unanimously on each confirmation.

The committee approved nominations for Leymana Avines (GM 680) to the Big Island Burial Council; Cyrus Sato (GM 681) to the Big Island Burial Council; Shantel Freeman (GM 686) to the Big Island Burial Council; Chad Shimo Fenig (GM 763) to the Kauai and Niʻihau Burial Council; and Shaylin Ornelas (GM 773) to the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Chair recommendations to “advise and consent” were adopted for all five measures.

The State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) testified in support of several nominees, citing cultural experience and hands‑on work with ancestral sites. Jessica Puff, administrator of SHPD, told the committee that nominees “strongly and happily support[ed] the nominations” and highlighted each candidate’s ties to their communities and experience in traditional burial and stewardship practices.

Nominees addressed the committee in brief remarks. Leymana Avines said being nominated “to represent this Moku of Kohala is profound,” and described being raised by grandparents who taught cultural and spiritual practices. Cyrus Sato and Shantel Freeman each answered questions and were described by SHPD as having experience in repatriation and in traditional stewardship of iwi kūpuna. Chad Shimo Fenig introduced himself as an educator and cultural practitioner from Kauai. Shaylin Ornelas, nominated to the Hawaiian Homes Commission, drew multiple testimonies in support and told the committee she was “answering the call of kūpuna on Kauai.”

Committee members questioned Ornelas about Act 279 and other Hawaiian Home Lands policies during her appearance. In response to a question about Act 279, Ornelas said she understood it to be a multi‑pronged funding effort intended to reduce the DHHL wait list; the committee record includes discussion that Act 279 provided funding to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to address the wait list. Senators also pressed Ornelas on “paper leases,” beneficiary consultation for development projects, and the interaction between rental programs and wait‑list accounting. Ornelas said she did not claim deep technical expertise on all the policy details but said she would seek to learn and engage beneficiaries and the department if confirmed.

Supporters who testified in person and online described nominees’ local ties and experience. Carly Watson testified in support of Ornelas and noted Ornelas’ background in education, small business and work on Kauai projects. Kalahui Hawaii submitted written testimony in strong support, saying Ornelas brings “deep authentic connection to Kauai” and experience in community organizing and subsistence agriculture projects.

The committee recessed for decision making and voted sequentially on each GM. For each measure the chair’s recommendation to “advise and consent” carried, with recorded aye votes from the chair, vice chair, Senator Ihara, Senator Keohokalole and Senator DeCorte. The committee adjourned after confirming the five nominees and deferred consideration of GM 674 (Kawai Puna Kalipi for Molokai) to a later date.

The committee record shows public and organizational support for nominees’ cultural knowledge and burial‑site stewardship experience and identifies questions for DHHL nominees about implementation of Act 279, paper leases, and beneficiary consultation on development projects. No nominee faced recorded opposition during the April 10 hearing. The committee scheduled follow‑up consideration for another nominee (GM 674) at a reconvened meeting on April 15 in Room 225.