Hee to question UH nominee
The Senate panel chairman expects the current Maui regent to defend his votes
With 39 people submitting testimony supporting him, the nomination of University of Hawaii student regent Michael Dahilig was easily approved yesterday by the Senate Higher Education Committee.
But Committee Chairman Clayton Hee hinted that the nomination of Maui regent James J.C. Haynes II for a second term might not go as smoothly.
After the hearing, Hee said Haynes will be questioned about "issues and concerns raised in the past." He said "the expectation is he will be able to defend his votes over the last four years."
Hee (D, Kaneohe-Kahuku) cited two votes in particular: the tuition increase and the hiring of UH President David McClain without going through a full search.
Haynes, a business owner who runs gas stations and convenience stores on Maui and the Big Island, is a graduate of the University of Hawaii and Punahou Schools. He is also a supporter of the Republican Party on Maui as well as community groups such as the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Maui Historical Society and Nature Conservancy.
Dahilig, a law student who is expected to graduate in May, is also studying for his master's degree in urban planning.
As Dahilig's hearing began, Hee asked UH President David McClain to help Hee get information on Haynes' arrest years ago, which Haynes disclosed in a questionnaire.
Hee emphasized that the arrest was probably minor and occurred a long time ago, but he said he wanted to be thorough and avoid being embarrassed like Gov. Lingle when she appointed Bev Harbin to the Legislature.
Haynes and the Governor's Office later released Haynes' statement that he believes the arrest was a misdemeanor contempt-of-court citation from a 1972 traffic incident, which was also disclosed during his 2003 confirmation hearing.
"The Maui Police Department could not tell me specifically what the charge was, but I felt compelled to disclose this," Haynes wrote.
Russell Pang, the governor's spokesman, said Haynes was fined $25 for the incident.
Board of Regents Chairwoman Kitty Lagareta criticized Hee last month for allegedly trying to pressure and influence regents up for confirmation.
Last year, Hee's committee rejected two of Gov. Linda Lingle's nominations to the Board of Regents: Dylan Nonaka for the student regent position and interim regent John Kai to represent East Hawaii.
The committee voted against Nonaka after receiving a number of e-mails and form letters opposing him over his stand in favor of the tuition increase unless a better way of raising money could be found.
Kai's rejection came after intense questioning during two committee hearings.
Kai's seat has still not been filled by Lingle. Pang said the Governor's Office is still working on selecting someone for the regent's position, but he was not sure if the nomination would be submitted by time the Legislature adjourns.
Democrats in the Legislature also rejected two of Lingle's regent nominees in 2003.