Committee forwards two mayoral nominations to full council with favorable recommendations

The Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs on July 7 voted to close files and forward two mayoral nominations with favorable recommendations to the full council.

Michael Alameda, executive assistant to the mayor, presented Shauna Ka'ulukukui for the Cultural Resources Commission; Alameda described Ka'ulukukui as a Hilo native, a 1995 Waiakea High School graduate who is a certified welder, president of the Kailapa Community Association and a coordinator with the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization. "She comes to us as a born and raised native of Hilo... she is a leader with vibrant Hawaii," Alameda said. Ka'ulukukui told members she was honored and emphasized community-based cultural preservation.

Alameda also presented Jonathan Zeichner as the mayor's nominee to the Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee. Zeichner described his background working with youth and families and said he attended several committee meetings before offering to serve. Council members expressed support for both nominees.

The committee voted to forward both nominations to the full council with favorable recommendations; the clerk recorded nine ayes on each motion.