Remember my friend who resigned from the UH Board of Regents? Well, here’s an update: not long after resigning, Gov. Linda Lingle saw fit to reappoint him to the BOR, this time not as Student Regent, but filling one of the at-large seats. Today, the State Senate will hold a hearing on his and other nominations to the BOR.
Here is the testimony I will deliver this afternoon to the Senate Committee on Higher Education on Governor’s Message 306, Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, Gubernatorial Nominee, MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, for a term to expire 6-30-2013. Of course, only you, dear readers of Capsun’s Corner, get the version with all the links!
Aloha Chair Tokuda, Vice Chair Sakamoto, and Members of the Committee:
I am Capsun Poe and I am in strong support of GM 306 and Mr. Michael Dahilig’s nomination to the Board of Regents. I am an Emeritus Regent and served as the Student Regent from 2001-2003.
Much has changed since I left the BOR six years ago: we now have a Regents Candidate Advisory Council and the Board has grown from 12 to 15 members. One thing that has remained the same for much of that time is Regent Dahilig, whom I have known for nine years and worked with while he was the ASUH President (UH Manoa’s undergraduate student government). As one of those fortunate enough to serve on the BOR, I know what it takes to make a good, effective Regent – and I assure you that Mr. Dahilig has what it takes.
The job of a Regent is not an easy one – and it is an unpaid position at that. Many decisions are difficult and even unpopular, just as they are here at the Legislature. Regent Dahilig takes positions after thoughtful consideration of what is best for the University, whether it is UARC or tuition increases. This policy approach is important for the long-term stability of the University and to ensure its ability to weather whatever storms it may be forced to face. Perhaps this is best illustrated by his decision to resign from the BOR in December after the Hawaii Supreme Court issued it’s decision in Hanabusa v. Lingle. Rather than cast any doubt on his legitimacy as a Regent or his votes on the BOR, he resigned. That is a shining example of doing what is right, even when it might hurt.
This is a crucial moment for the University as it embarks on the process of choosing its next President. Implementation of budget reductions and restrictions are on the horizon. In these tough times, it is imperative to have someone who has experience with these and the wide array of issues that affect and are affected by the University. Again, Regent Dahilig possesses the experience necessary for the job.
As a former legislative staffer, Regent Dahilig knows the importance of working with legislators as partners and not as adversaries. Ending the sometimes combative relationship between the BOR and the Legislature is a high priority for him. This spirit of cooperation is one I am sure we can all appreciate, at the BOR, at the Legislature, and throughout government.
Being from South Kona, I appreciate Regent Dahilig’s ability to sympathize with and advocate for educational opportunities at non-urban Honolulu campuses. Regent Dahilig is committed to quality education for our residents and out-of-state students alike and he will serve well the alma mater where he obtained his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and law degrees.
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify. I again urge you to support GM 306.
Mahalo!
Please note: The views expressed here are mine and mine alone. While I am employed by and affiliated with organizations and individuals, permission has neither been asked nor granted to write on the topics discussed here.
That was awesome Capsun. I wish I had known earlier about the hearing, I would've liked to have submitted testimony as well. Mike is awesome!
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