Senators reject two UH regent nominees
By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer
Raising questions about qualifications, commitment and partisanship, the Senate Education Committee rejected two of Gov. Linda Lingle's six nominees to the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents — attorney Shelton G.W. Jim On and businessman Edward D. Sultan.
"The University of Hawai'i is poised to do many important things and we want the best people," said Sen. Norman Sakamoto, D-15th (Waimalu, Airport, Salt Lake), committee chairman. "These people don't reach our standards."
Sen. Bob Hogue, R-24th (Kailua, Kane'ohe) called the rejection a "slap in the face" for Lingle after she brought forward "eminently qualified people" with strength in fiscal matters. And he called it "an orchestrated effort" that was "obviously partisan" and began in the first confirmation hearing Tuesday.
Bob Awana, the governor's chief of staff, said Lingle will "stand by" her choices and considers them "eminently qualified."
It was the first time there has been opposition in a Senate committee reviewing Lingle's appointments, and it is rare for UH regent nominees to draw such heated debate.
Yesterday's action points toward an impending floor fight in the waning days of the Legislature that goes to the heart of whether UH will continue to be buffeted by state politics. Since 2000, legislators have sought to move in the direction of further autonomy for the statewide system, and were looking at measures this session to advance that cause.
Two Democrats — Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, D-13th (Kalihi, Nu'uana) and Sen. Ron Menor, D-17th (Mililani, Waipi'o) — voted for Republican Lingle's choices in committee along with Hogue.
Sultan's and Jim On's names will still go to the Senate floor for a vote by the full body, along with the names of the four who were approved by the committee: businesswoman Catherine "Kitty" Lagareta, businessman Alvin Tanaka, law student Trent Kakuda and retired professor Byron W. Bender.
"The fact their names are going to the full Senate is a plus," said Awana after the hearing. "It gives a chance for senators to meet the nominees and discuss issues with them and hopefully be able to clarify their concerns."
Lingle told reporters that Sultan and Jim On are "capable, qualified ... and just terrific people" to whom she remains committed and to whom she hoped senators would have a chance to get to know better before the final floor vote.
"It's no question it's people I know well, who I trust and were very involved with me in both my campaign efforts," she said. "That's one of the reasons I appointed them, because I know them so well. I know their capabilities.
"They're all outstanding people."
Sultan is president of Sultan Co. — a fine jewelry retailer — and the husband of Lingle campaign finance director Rae McCorkle.
Jim On was attorney for the governor's campaign. He has served as a trial attorney, a staff attorney with the Hawaii Crime Commission and as a deputy attorney general in the antitrust and civil litigation divisions. He has practiced in the private sector for 19 years specializing in insurance defense litigation and professional (CPA) malpractice. He also is a certified public accountant.
Committee members found fault with the political activities of Jim On, and with Sultan's seeming lack of knowledge about key university issues, including a recent audit.
Education committee vice chair Sen. Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua'i, Ni'ihau), said, "The political nature (of these nominees) disturbed me. I would hope we separate the politics from the decision-making."
Two senators called on the governor to submit new nominations, with Hooser asking her to "look for additional candidates that are not political," and Sakamoto suggesting there should be a nominee who represents the Big Island.
Sultan and Jim On were also criticized for their lack of support for a West O'ahu campus in Kapolei, an issue close to the heart of Sen. Cal Kawamoto, D-18th (Waipahu, Crestview, Pearl City.) "One of the primary reasons I'm here is to provide a commitment to the young people out there," said Kawamoto.
But Lingle responded that it would have been irresponsible of Jim On to say he supported West O'ahu just to please Kawamoto.
Despite the opposition, the vote was 4-3, with those voting for the two nominees calling their credentials in accounting and finance the kind of skills UH needs. Joining Sakamoto, Hooser and Kawamoto in voting against the two was Sen. Shan Tsutsui, D-4th, (Kahului, Maui.)
However, even supporters said they reserved the right to vote against the two nominees on the floor.
"There were some concerns expressed behind the scenes, but I'm supporting moving the names out to the full Senate," said Menor.
Sakamoto said he gave Lingle the option of withdrawing the names before the hearing. Instead, "she chose to proceed," he said.
Lingle denied that she had a heads-up on the problems.
"They've had these names now for a week and, prior to that, we floated the names, and we were told, 'No problem,' " said Lingle.
Lingle also said that she has withdrawn about six other nominations to save people embarrassment.
"It's not that I have to have everyone I sent down," Lingle said. "It's that when the Senate raises something that's reasonable, I've responded to them. In this case, I don't think it's reasonable to object to any of these people based on their commitment to the university and the caliber of people that they are."
It's still unclear when the question will come to the Senate floor in the Legislature's final five days, but the governor's office will be lobbying hard for the nominees in the time left.
