Board of Regents finalists for Hawaii County selected

From UH News, March 10, 2017 

The Candidate Advisory Council (CAC) for the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents has presented a list of candidates to Gov. David Ige to fill a Hawaiʻi County seat vacancy due to the resignation of Regent Barry Mizuno, who passed away several months after his resignation. The appointment begins immediately, subject to confirmation by the Hawaiʻi State Senate, and ends on June 30, 2018.

The finalists for this seat are:

• William C. Bergin
• Douglas T. Shinsato
• Douglas A. Simons
• Harvey S. Tajiri

Finalist biographies are available at the CAC website.

The CAC began accepting applications to fill this vacancy in early fall by recruiting individuals and contacting and encouraging government, business and community leaders to nominate candidates. The council also placed print advertisements and issued news releases encouraging applications.

All applications were thoroughly and comprehensively reviewed and screened by all CAC members. The council is statutorily responsible for conducting recruitment efforts, accepting and screening applications, interviewing candidates and submitting to the governor the names of nominees willing to serve as regents of the University of Hawaiʻi System, which is a voluntary non-compensated public appointment.

Candidate lists are compiled after a comprehensive review and selection process, which is solely and exclusively merit-based, and conducted according to procedures set forth in state statutes and the council’s administrative rules. 

“The Candidate Advisory Council expresses its deepest gratitude to the residents of Hawaiʻi County who took the time to apply to serve as a University of Hawaiʻi regent,” said Chair Brigitte Yoshino.

The Board of Regents is the governing body of the University of Hawai‘i and consists of fifteen (15) members. Representation includes seven (7) from the City and County of Honolulu; two (2) from Hawaiʻi County; two (2) from Maui County; one (1) from Kauaʻi County; two (2) At Large; and one (1) University of Hawaiʻi student.

Members of the CAC serve voluntarily and are not paid.