Hartley leaves UH Board of Regents

By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer

A member of the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents has resigned because of Evan Dobelle's endorsement of Mazie Hirono for governor in the days before the election.

Mike Hartley, who had been named an interim regent four months ago, is traveling and could not be reached for comment, but Gov. Ben Cayetano confirmed that he left the post because of the UH president's action.

Cayetano yesterday named Lynne Kaneshiro, president and chief executive officer of Island Title Corp., as Hartley's replacement.

Dobelle has said he endorsed the Democratic candidate as an individual and not as UH president, but his action has caused a stir nonetheless.

In her first press conference as governor-elect Thursday, Linda Lingle said she "hung up" the phone on Dobelle when he placed a courtesy call to inform her of his actions.

Hartley is co-founder of Cheap Tickets, which he developed from its beginnings in 1986 into a multimillion-dollar operation with $800 million in bookings by 2001. That year he sold it to Cendant Corp. for $425 million.

He served less than three months, having been appointed in July by Cayetano.

Dobelle released a statement yesterday that did not comment on Hartley's resignation, but said he welcomed the opportunity to work with Kaneshiro and that she brought "a depth of experience and talent to the Board of Regents."

Kaneshiro is a committee member of Friends of Washington Place, the Judicial Performance Committee, and a former member of the Judicial Selection Commission. The escrow company she heads is the second-largest in the state.

In making the appointment, Cayetano cited Kaneshiro's "impressive background in both the business world and the community."

Her appointment is effective immediately but also requires confirmation by the Senate.