Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Third Special Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 21, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the testimony and the statements submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that Patricia Y. Lee, Ph.D., and Kathleen K.S.L. Thurston have the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the Board of Regents, University of Hawaii.

Testimony in support of Patricia Y. Lee, was received from the President of the University of Hawaii, the student Regent of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, and a private citizen.

Testimony in support of Kathleen K.S.L. Thurston was received from the President of the University of Hawaii, the student Regent of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, New Hope Christian Fellowship Oahu, General Contractors Association of Hawaii, Dawson International, Inc., and a private citizen.

Your Committee notes the following background and qualifications of the nominees.

Patricia Y. Lee has been a partner with the law firm of Goodsill Anderson Quinn and Stifel since 1985. She received a doctorate in philosophy degree from Northwestern University, a master of arts degree from Columbia University, a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Hawaii, a juris doctor degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law, and a certificate of honorable mention from the Universite De Paris. Her specialty is wills and trusts, and she has authored the "Hawaii Wills and Trusts Sourcebook" and an article in the University of Hawaii Law Review. Dr. Lee was listed in the "Best Lawyers in America, 1999-2000; "Hawaii's Best Lawyers", Honolulu Magazine, April 1999; "Hawaii's Top Lawyers" Honolulu Magazine, February 1997; and "Outstanding Women in America", 1965. She was named Honorary Counsel to France in Hawaii in 1997, and has been given the highest rating of AV in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory Rating.

Kathleen K.S.L. Thurston is the owner, President, Secretary, Treasurer, and resident manager of Thurston-Pacific, Inc., a construction company. She was previously president and resident manager, and a project manager, of Ideal Construction, Inc.; vice president and resident manager of Partitions-Hawaii, Inc.; and operations supervisor, senior teller, and savings counselor teller for First Federal Savings. She was a Commissioner of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and a Board Member of the Bishop Museum. She has been Chair of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund, and is active in numerous community organizations and professional associations. The nominee has received many professional construction and engineering awards. Your Committee received testimony indicating that she is a keen businesswoman who combines business acumen with a deep sense of social responsibility.

The testimony of the President of the University of Hawaii states, "In Patricia Lee and Kathleen Thurston, we have found two exceptional leaders who will help guide the University with intellect, wisdom and deep aloha for the state and all its citizens."

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, character, 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.