UH needs 12 new regents

Applications are being accepted to compile a roster of candidates

A University of Hawaii panel is seeking candidates to fill 12 openings on the school's Board of Regents for terms beginning in July.

Regents Twelve of 15 seats on the Board of Regents will be open next year. Five positions are currently vacant. Regents whose positions will be vacated in June: » Kitty Lagareta, chairwoman » Andres Albano Jr., vice chairman » Byron Bender » Michael Dahilig » Ramon de la Pena » Marlene Hapai » Jane Tatibouet

Those selected as regents will help oversee the operation of UH's 10 campuses. The job requires attending meetings once a month and a sense of community service -- there is no pay.

Candidates should have experience from eight criteria such as a record of public service, objective decision-making and openness to a diversity of views. Terms are five years.

The UH Regents Candidate Advisory Council screens the applicants to submit to the governor, but first must adopt a final version of its application process as early as Thursday, when the council meets again.

Once the council begins accepting applications, applicants or nominees will be able to apply online or by hard copy through the office.

"We will be advertising ... encouraging applicants to nominate or apply themselves for these candidate positions," said Roy Takeyama, chairman of the seven-member council. "Hopefully, we can start that sometime in mid-September."

Last week the council held five public meetings around Hawaii for feedback on its rules and procedures. A draft of the rules and application is avaiable online at www.hawaii.edu/rcac.

Takeyama said turnout at the meetings last week was poor, with attendance ranging from three in Honolulu to 20 in Hilo.

"Evidently a lot of them didn't see the advertisement," he said.

Despite the small turnout, some of the comments were practical, such as suggesting two regents representing the Big Island be selected separately from the county's eastern and western districts.

Takeyama hopes more people will respond to the advertisements for applications.

Earlier this year the Legislature created the council after a constitutional amendment was passed by voters to change the way regents are selected.

A new law increases the number of regents to 15 from 12 and mandates the council submit a list of candidates to the governor by March 1. The governor will appoint regents from the pool, subject to Senate confirmation.

In the past, the governor could nominate anyone to the board.

Takeyama said it was too early to say whether the new process is better. "If you look at the rules, procedures and qualifications, you'll find that it's much more clear as to the kind of regents we're looking for as distinguished from the old system of recruiting candidates," he said.

For information on applying or nominating someone, visit the Web site at www.hawaii.edu/rcac or call 692-1218.