Posted at 10:05 a.m., Thursday, June 21, 2001

Nainoa Thompson resigning as UH regent

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

THOMPSON: Had been appointed to serve through June 2003

Nainoa Thompson, the master navigator of the voyaging canoe Hokule'a, has decided to resign from his position as a University of Hawai'i regent, the school announced today.

In a letter given to Gov. Ben Cayetano earlier this month, Thompson cited new responsibilities as a trustee of Kamehameha Schools, his continuing duties as executive director of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and undisclosed "personal family issues."

Thompson was appointed in 1998, and his term would have ended June 30, 2003. His resignation will be effective June 30.

He became a trustee at Kamehameha Schools in November.

"While I am resigning as a regent, I remain committed to improving the quality of higher education and increasing access to that education for the people of Hawai'i," Thompson said in a written statement to the board, which will meet tomorrow.

Thompson also said his time as a regent gave him a better understanding of the role and value of the university.

"Working with the faculty and students has brought into sharp focus the true value of higher education and the immense potential and obligation the university has to make a contribution to the future of Hawai'i's special people and nurturing this special place," Thompson said.

Thompson's resignation makes a total of four departures from the board by the end of the month. Completing their terms are Lily Yao, board chairwoman; Donald Kim; and Sat Khalsa, student regent.

University spokesman Jim Manke said the loss of Thompson should not adversely affect the board.

"The board already, I believe, is a strong one," he said. "I believe that if Nainoa represents a constituency — Hawaiian students — those interests will continue to be represented."

Two replacements have been approved so far, Manke said: Capsun Poe as student representative and Duane Kurisu.

Cayetano had no immediate comment on Thompson's departure, but announced two additional replacements. Kathleen K.S.L. Thurston, a Honolulu businesswoman and commissioner with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, will succeed Thompson. Patricia Y. Lee, an attorney with Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel, will fill the vacancy left by Yao.

Thurston will resign as a DHHL commissioner.

Thompson is best known for learning traditional noninstrument navigation and charting the double-hulled canoe Hokule'a through 5,000 miles of open ocean in the 1970s. He is executive director of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and holds a bachelor's degree in ocean science from UH.

Thompson has helped develop an traditional voyaging program for Hawaii's school children and helps teach a navigation course at Windward Community College.

During his time a regent, Thompson abstained from voting on a university master plan for use of Mauna Kea, one of the world's best sites for astronomers. As a Hawaiian, he said he keenly felt the opposing tugs of science and sacred lands.