STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3696

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 607, 657, 658

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 607, 657, and 658, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii

 

G.M. No. 607

ARTEMIO C. BAXA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013;

 

G.M. No. 657

HOWARD H. KARR,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011; and

 

G.M. No. 658

DENNIS I. HIROTA PHD, PE, LPLS,

for a term to expire 6-30-2012,

 

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Upon review of the background information provided, Artemio C. Baxa is a retired Judge of the Second Circuit Court who is being nominated for membership on the University of Hawaii Board of Regents for his first term as a representative of the County of Maui.  Judge Baxa was born and raised in the Philippines where he earned a law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law.  Upon immigrating to Hawaii, he gained experience working in the business community, while also continuing to pursue his education in the field of urban and regional planning.  Judge Baxa served as the Planner and then Community Improvement and Development Coordinator for Maui Economic Opportunity before earning his law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Subsequently, he also served as the Deputy Director of the Department of Human Concerns of the County of Maui, as a deputy prosecutor, and as an attorney in private practice before being appointed as a Circuit Court Judge.  Judge Baxa has been involved in numerous community organizations and activities, has been recognized for his outstanding professional and community achievements, and has received recognition for his role as a pioneer within the local Filipino community.

 

     Testimony was submitted in support of Judge Baxa by three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the background information provided, your Committee finds that Howard H. Karr is a retired Bank Executive who is being nominated for membership on the University of Hawaii Board of Regents for his first term as a representative of the City and County of Honolulu.  Mr. Karr holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Hawaii, is a certified public accountant, and has served in numerous positions as the vice president, vice chairman, treasurer, director, and chief financial officer for various banks and financial institutions.  He was also a member of the United States Army Reserve with the 100th Battallion 442nd Infantry.  Mr. Karr has been involved in and recognized for his outstanding service and achievements by numerous professional and community organizations and activities.

 

     Testimony in support of Mr. Karr was submitted by a United States Senator; Kobayashi, Sugita & Goda, Attorneys at Law; the Hawaii Bankers Association; and twenty-two individuals.

 

     Upon review of the background information provided, your Committee finds that Dennis Hirota holds a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Master's degree in sanitary engineering, and doctorate in civil engineering from the University of Michigan.  Mr. Hirota is a civil engineer and land surveyor and is being nominated for membership on the University of Hawaii Board of Regents for his first term as a representative of the City and County of Honolulu.  He has served in numerous executive positions for various businesses, as well as service as a lecturer, adjunct professor, and a Captain in the United States Air Force.  Mr. Hirota has also been involved in numerous professional and community organizations and activities.

 

     Testimony in support of Mr. Hirota was submitted by Bays Deaver Lung Rose & Holma, Attorneys at Law, and six individuals.

 

     Your Committee questioned the nominees regarding their backgrounds, potential contributions to the Board, and ideas and vision for improving the University of Hawaii System.  The nominees expressed a strong commitment to several aspects of relating to the Board's purview, including growing and expanding the community college system to ensure adequate programs, services, and funding throughout all campuses, particularly on the neighbor islands; ensuring the development of qualified teachers and administrators for the public schools, as well as developing improved programs to grow the workforce in other labor shortage areas; and methods for addressing the funding needs of the University of Hawaii System.  Your Committee believes that the nominees have displayed the necessary dedication and commitment to addressing the needs of the University of Hawaii System.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Education 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 Education,

 

 

 

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair