Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

NEWS RELEASE
Nov. 6, 2013

Legislature Confirms Two New Hawaiian Homes Commissioners

HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I – The Hawai’i State Legislature confirmed two new members of the Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) on Fri., Nov. 1. Patricia W. Sheehan and Wallace A. Ishibashi Jr. were confirmed by unanimous vote to serve on the commission to 2017.

Sheehan fills the Kauai seat on the Hawaiian Homes Commission. She previously served on the commission from 1993 to 1997 and has worked in fields ranging from education to real estate and successfully restarted a family business in the aftermath of Hurricane Iniki. She serves on various other boards and commissions, including Hoopulapula Haraguchi Rice Mill, Hui o Laka, Kapiolani Health Foundation, Kauai Historic Preservation Review Commission, National Tropical Botanical Garden, and The Waioli Corporation. She is a graduate of Punahou School and holds a degree in fine arts/dance from Bennett College.

Ishibashi fills the East Hawai‘i seat on the Hawaiian Homes Commission. A retired full time officer of ILWU Local 142, Ishibashi draws from a range of experience that includes his current position as UH Hilo’s cultural monitor for the Office of Mauna Kea Management as well as time as a business agent, contract and benefits negotiator, workers compensation specialist, and youth basketball and baseball coach. He is also currently the chair of the Hawai‘i County Windward Planning Commission and a member of the Big Island Community Coalition, an organization that works to reduce the high cost of electricity through alternative energy.

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Media Contact:
Punialoha Chee
Public Information Officer
(808) 620-9591
[email protected]
dhhl.hawaii.gov