STAND. COM. REP. NO. 4096

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 806, 807

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 806 and 807, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Board of Regents of the University of Hawai'i

G.M. No. 806	LAURIE TOCHIKI, for a term to expire 06-30-2027; and
G.M. No. 807	GABRIEL LEE, for a term to expire 06-30-2027,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Laurie Tochiki and Gabriel Lee for service on the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii.

LAURIE TOCHIKI

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Laurie Tochiki from the Department of Human Services; EPIC ‘Ohana; Pū‘ā Foundation; IHS, Institute for Human Services, Inc.; and twenty-one individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Tochiki's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed as the Regent representing the City and County of Honolulu, pursuant to section 26-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Your Committee finds that Dr. Tochiki currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Effective Planning and Innovative Communication, Inc., also known as EPIC Ohana. Prior to her leadership of EPIC Ohana, Dr. Tochiki served as a legal educator and administrator for over twenty-five years at the William S. Richardson School of Law, where she taught courses on family law, children and the law, and higher education, and served as principal investigator for child welfare and family court projects. Your Committee notes that Dr. Tochiki is also an active member of her community, and she currently serves as a member of the Children's Trust Fund Statewide Coalition, Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Board, and as a volunteer mediator for Mediation Center of the Pacific. She also continues to support legal education as an assistant coach for the William S. Richardson School of Law Client Counseling Competition Team.

Your Committee further finds that Dr. Tochiki has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members, and her prior experience within the University of Hawaii System as a legal educator and administrator along with her current role in youth and family services and the child welfare system, will be assets to the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii. Your Committee therefore recommends that Laurie Tochiki be appointed to the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii based on her experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

GABRIEL LEE

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Gabriel Lee from Diamond Head Theatre; Hawaiian Community Development Board; Oahu Economic Development Board; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Paradise Cove Luau; Carol Kai Charities, Inc.; Hawai‘i Pacific Health; Hawai‘i Community Foundation; Stanford Carr Development, LLC; Avalon Group, LLC; and eighteen individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Lee's background and dedication to serving the public qualify him to be appointed as an at-large Regent, pursuant to section 26-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Your Committee finds that Mr. Lee has over forty years of experience in finance and corporate banking. Mr. Lee currently serves as Executive Vice President of Commercial Markets at American Savings Bank, and he has held various roles in executive-level management for thirty-five years, leading Hawaii's finance industry in commercial markets through corporate and commercial banking, commercial real estate, cash management, and international services. Your Committee notes that Mr. Lee is also an active member of his community, and he currently serves as secretary and treasurer of Diamond Head Theatre and as a board member for Boy Scouts of America – Aloha Council and ‘Ahahui Koa Ānuenue. Your Committee additionally finds that Mr. Lee has also previously served as chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and Saint Louis Schools, a founding board member of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, and as President of Waialae Country Club and Catholic Charities Family Services.

Your Committee further finds that Mr. Lee has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members, and his extensive experience in finance, corporate banking, and leadership of a large private-sector business will be assets to the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii. Your Committee therefore recommends that Gabriel Lee be appointed to the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii based on his experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

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

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair