STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1710

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Higher Education and the Arts, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, and 551, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii

 

G.M. No. 546

MICHAEL T. MCENERNEY,

for a term to expire 6-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 547

DAVID IHA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017;

 

G.M. No. 548

ERNEST WILSON, JR.,

for a term to expire 6-30-2019 (term amended to 6-30-2020 by GM717);

 

G.M. No. 549

HELEN NIELSEN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015;

 

G.M. No. 550

SIMEON ACOBA, JR.,

for a term to expire 6-30-2017; and

 

G.M. No. 551

WAYNE HIGAKI,

for a term to expire 6-30-2016,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Michael McEnerney; David Iha; Ernest Wilson, Jr.; Helen Nielsen; Simeon Acoba, Jr.; and Wayne Higaki to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii (Board of Regents).

 

MICHAEL MCENERNEY

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Mr. Michael McEnerney from ten individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. McEnerney is currently the President of McEnerney, Shimabukuro, Okazaki & Fujita, CPAs, AAC.  He is an attorney and admitted to the bar in Illinois, Hawaii, several federal districts, the Tax Court of the United States, the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.  Your Committee finds that Mr. McEnerney received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in Accounting and Business Administration.  He earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and his Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law.  Mr. McEnerney is also active in numerous professional and community organizations, including serving as the President, Vice President, and Director of the Hawaii Chapter of the American Society of Appraisers, as well as serving as a founding member of the Collaborative Divorce Hawaii Practice Group.

 

     In addition, Mr. McEnerney has training in collaborative law, mediation, and arbitration.  He serves as a volunteer at the Mediation Center of the Pacific and as an arbitrator in financially related matters.  Your Committee recommends Mr. McEnerney be appointed to the Board of Regents based on his extensive experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

 

DAVID IHA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Mr. David Iha from nine individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that, prior to retirement, Mr. Iha served as the Executive Administrator and Secretary of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii.  Your Committee further notes that Mr. Iha has also previously served as the Director of Administrative Services at Kauai Community College and as the Provost of Kauai Community College.  Mr. Iha received his Bachelor's degree from Wheaton College in Illinois, where he also played quarterback on the football team.  He earned his Master's degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Mr. Iha has been an active member in his community, including serving on the Hawaii Community Foundation, the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation, the Conference Council of the United Church of Christ, and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative Board.  Mr. Iha has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education, representing 1,700 higher education institutions, where he learned about higher education issues at the national level.  Your Committee therefore recommends Mr. Iha be appointed to the Board of Regents based on his extensive experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

 

ERNEST WILSON, JR.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Mr. Ernest Wilson, Jr., from eleven individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that, prior to retirement, Mr. Wilson served as Dean of the School of Hospitality, Resort and Culinary Management at Paul Smith's College.  Prior to that position, Mr. Wilson served as a Dean and professor at Hawaii Pacific University.  He has also previously served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army and as a hotel manager for the Outrigger Enterprises Group.  He earned a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management from Cornell University.  He earned a Master of Science in Hospitality Management from Florida International University.  Your Committee notes the extensive travel and diverse experiences Mr. Wilson has undertaken in furtherance of his education and employment opportunities.  Mr. Wilson's wealth of experience will enhance the effectiveness of the Board.  Your Committee therefore recommends Mr. Wilson be appointed to the Board of Regents based on his extensive experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

 

HELEN NIELSEN

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Helen Nielsen from twelve individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Nielsen is the co-owner and co-manager of commercial properties on Maui and Big Island.  She previously served as a Field Representative for the Office of United States Senator Brian Schatz.  Prior to that position, Ms. Nielsen served as a reports analyst for W.R. Grace & Company.  Ms. Nielsen is an active member of her community, including serving as the President of the Maui Japanese Chamber of Commerce and on the Maui Japanese Cultural Society Board of Directors.  Ms. Nielsen also founded the Maui Coastal Land Trust and served on its board for over a decade.  She has been serving as an interim member of the Board of Regents for approximately four months, and your Committee finds that the Board of Regents and University of Hawaii System will continue to benefit from Ms. Nielsen's continued service.  Your Committee therefore recommends Ms. Nielsen be appointed to the Board of Regents based on her extensive experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

 

SIMEON ACOBA, JR.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Justice Simeon Acoba, Jr., from the University of Hawaii Pamantasan Council; Oahu Filipino Community Council; United Filipino Council of Hawaii; The Filipino Community Center, Inc.; Filipino American Citizens League; United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO; ILWU Local 142; Hawaii Justice Foundation; L&L Hawaiian Barbecue; and forty-two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Justice Acoba is currently a Lecturer in Law at William S. Richardson School of Law.  He has previously served as an Associate Justice on the Hawaii Supreme Court, an Associate Judge on the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals, Third Division, and a Judge of the Circuit Court of the First Circuit.  Your Committee finds that Justice Acoba earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  He earned his Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law.  Justice Acoba is an active member of his community and currently serves as an interim member of the Board of Regents.  He has also served in multiple civic organizations in leadership roles, including serving as a Director of the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, a Director of the Hawaii Justice Foundation, and a Director of the Mediation Center of the Pacific.  Your Committee further finds that as an interim member of the Board of Regents, Justice Acoba has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of the Board of Regents within the University of Hawaii System.  Your Committee therefore recommends Justice Acoba be appointed to the Board of Regents based on his extensive experience, knowledge, and commitment to serving the public.

 

 

WAYNE HIGAKI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Mr. Wayne Higaki from the Office of the State Director for Career and Technical Education, and twenty-nine individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Higaki's knowledge, background, and prior experience qualify him for appointment to the Board of Regents.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Higaki is the Chief Development Officer of the North Hawaii Community Hospital.  From February 2013 to January 2014, he served as the Vice President of Public Affairs and Chief Development Officer of the North Hawaii Community Hospital.  Mr. Higaki is also an active member of his community, including serving on the Board of Directors of the Waimea Community Association and as Chairperson of the County of Hawaii's Workforce Investment Board.  He also currently serves on the Mayor's Health Sustainability Task Force and with the State Health Planning and Development Agency.  This extensive leadership experience will make him an excellent addition to the Board of Regents.  Your Committee therefore recommends Mr. Higaki be appointed to the Board of Regents based on his extensive experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education and the Arts that are 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 Higher Education and the Arts,

 

 

 

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair