Ishibashi Named to Hawaiian Homes Commission

Hawaii Island labor leader Wallace A. Ishibashi Jr. has been named by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to serve as East Hawaii’s representative on the state Hawaiian Homes Commission.

Ishibashi served as East Hawaii’s representative on the nine-member commission at his first meeting on Monday.

Ishibashi was born and raised in the Hawaiian homestead of Keaukaha and is a retired officer of the ILWU Local 142, where he has been a member for nearly 40 years.

Ishibashi currently serves as UH-Hilo’s cultural monitor for the Office of Mauna Kea Management, and as chair of the Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission.

Abercrombie at the same time named Patricia Sheehan to represent Kauai on the commission.

Sheehan is returning to the HHC after serving as Kauai Commissioner from 1993 to 1997. She and her children operate the Hanalei Land Company, which manages their family’s 74-acre property on Kauai.

The commission is appointed by the governor to oversee the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

Hawaiian Homes Commission Chair and DHHL Director Jobie Masagatani welcomed the two newest members to their first meeting on Monday.

“As well-respected members of their respective communities, their manao will be invaluable in fulfilling Prince Kuhio’s mission,” Masagatani said.

Ishibashi replaces East Hawaii Commissioner Ian Lee Loy. If confirmed by the Hawaii State Senate, he will serve a four-year term ending June 30, 2017.

Sheehan will fill the seat left vacant by ‘Imaikalani Aiu until a permanent replacement can be found.