Lingle picks
Maui Petroleum exec
and GOP ally
for UH board
WAILUKU >> A Maui businessman who rose from an accountant to business owner on the Valley Isle and the Big Island has been appointed to the University of Hawaii's Board of Regents by Gov. Linda Lingle.
James Haynes II, a University of Hawaii graduate, was named yesterday to succeed Maui building developer Everett Dowling, who resigned to end any conflicts of interest that could hinder building a new astronomy complex on land he owns.
Haynes' appointment, which takes effect immediately, will need to be confirmed by the state Senate in the next legislative session. His selection appears to increase the influence of Lingle and the Republican Party on the 12-member Board of Regents, which can hire and fire the University of Hawaii president.
Haynes is the seventh member appointed by Lingle and the sixth with ties to Lingle and the GOP.
Lingle has criticized the fiscal performance of University President Evan Dobelle, who supported her Democratic opponent, Mazie Hirono, in last year's election.
Haynes, a part-Hawaiian and Punahou School graduate, has been a supporter of the Republican Party of Maui for decades, helping to finance political campaigns for the GOP.
Richard Tuell, a chairman of the Republican Party of Maui in the late 1980s, recalled how he would call Haynes when the GOP needed money.
"He was on my to-call list. He'd write me a check," Tuell said.
Tuell said he thought Haynes was a good selection because of his business acumen.
"I remember him saying, 'If you take care of the cents, the dollars will be there,'" Tuell said.
William Wilmore, a former building contractor, recalled that Haynes worked for him for three to four years as an accountant at Global Contractors on the Valley Isle in the mid-1970s.
"He's honest. He's smart and very meticulous and pays attention to details," Wilmore said.
Lingle said she came to know Haynes through his work in the community, including his service as vice president of the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
He has also served as past president of the Maui Historical Society and trustee of the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii.
Lingle said she was aware Haynes was a graduate of the University of Hawaii and had expressed an interest in helping the institution.
Lingle said Haynes checked with some university regents to understand the hours of commitment before he decided to accept the appointment.
"Jim's ongoing efforts to improve Hawaii, whether through enhancing the business climate or being actively involved in local community organizations, make him ideally suited to serve on the Board of Regents," Lingle said.
"He will be a strong addition to the board, and his leadership experience and talents will serve the University of Hawaii well."
Haynes, president of Maui Petroleum Inc. and vice president of Hawaii Petroleum Inc., is also president of Minit Stop Stores on Maui and the Big Island.
He previously served as president of Big Island Petroleum, which merged with Hawaii Petroleum in 1998. Haynes was also former president of Maui Disposal Co. Inc., as well as former president of JBG Corp., the parent company of McCabe, Hamilton & Renny, the state's largest stevedoring company.
