STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3529

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 165, 166

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 165 and 166, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Board of Regents of the University of Hawai`i

G.M. No. 165

JAMES J.C. HAYNES, II,

for a term to expire 06-30-06; and

G.M. No. 166

JANE B. TATIBOUET,

for a term to expire 06-30-07,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, résumés, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds the nominees to have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to the position of nomination.

Testimony in support of nominee JAMES J.C. HAYNES was submitted by the Board of Regents, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, Communications Pacific, Seabury Hall, and four individuals.

Mr. Haynes is currently serving as an interim Regent on the Board and has brought a broad understanding of the community and the forces which drive Hawaii and its economy. He is a graduate of Punahou School and the University of Hawaii, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. Presently, he is the Vice President of Hawaii Petroleum. Mr. Haynes is involved in numerous community organizations, such as Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Rotary Club of Maui, and Hawaii Professional Businessmen's Association.

Testimony in support of Nominee JANE B. TATIBOUET was submitted by the Board of Regents, Communications Pacific, and five individuals.

Ms. Tatibouet is also currently serving as an interim Regent on the Board. Carrying a tremendous amount of responsibility for the Board, she chairs the Standing Committees of Finance and Facilities, External Affairs, and the Task Groups on Housing and Facilities, and Board Affairs. Currently, she is the Executive Vice President of AST Holdings. Her community service includes participating in such organizations as American Legislative Exchange Council, Aloha United Way, American Red Cross, and Girl Scout Council of Hawaii. She has a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology from Cornell University.

Your Committee finds that the Governor has submitted qualified nominees, who are likely to be effective members of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents. However, it should be noted that nominees for the Board of Regents, as well as nominees for other boards and commissions, hold responsible and critical positions that require careful and timely review, not only by the Legislature in their confirmation process but by the general public as well, to determine that the best and brightest candidate is confirmed for the position. As these nominees were currently serving as interim appointments, neither the Legislature nor the general public was able to review the nominees' qualifications prior to their service on the Board.

Although your Committee has found the nominees to be qualified, there may be future instances where interim appointees do not fulfill the criteria for which they are appointed. This raises some concerns, as the Legislature is charged with the obligation to review and certify whether the nominees are qualified. For this to happen, it is only fitting that the Governor submit all of the nominees early on in the legislative calendar. This would provide the Legislature ample scheduling time for the timely confirmation process and also afford the general public the opportunity to submit essential and pertinent testimony regarding the nominee's qualifications.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair