UH Regent Nominees Out
Gov. Neil Abercrombie will withdraw the names of two of his nominees for the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, Sandra Scarr and Patrick Naughton, and will ask Regents advisory council for new nominees.
The governor’s action was a result of yesterday’s Senate Education Committee vote not to advise and consent to nominees Scarr and Naughton. The committee vote was for 4-2 for the non-recommendation.
Even with the negative vote, the nominees would have been considered by the entire State Senate, but with opposition from the Senate education committee chairman, Jill Tokuda, D-24th (Kaneohe, Kaneohe MCAB, Kailua, Enchanted Lake), the Senate would likely have supported her position and rejected the nominees.
Tokuda yesterday strongly criticized the regent appointment process, saying a screening council, which provides the names of possible nominees to the governor, refused to give Abercrombie the names of additional possible appointees when he asked for them.
Jim Dooley’s report details that this the first such rejections of Abercrombie appointments by the Senate since he took office in January; the committee approved three other nominees and all five names will be voted on by the entire Senate.
Abercrombie will not be able to name replacements this year unless the Legislature meets again in special session.
Governor Abercrombie on Hawaii Government Employees Association Ratification Vote
“Without accusations and confrontation, the state and six of the seven bargaining units of the Hawai’i Government Employees Association have come to an agreement that brings an end to Furlough Fridays and produces the savings needed to help balance the budget in our financial plan,” said Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
“HGEA members have families and pay taxes like the rest of us. Over the years, they have carried a heavy burden in increasingly difficult work conditions. But HGEA members want to move Hawai’i forward as we all do. Throughout Hawai’i, people are ready to follow their example — to attack our problems instead of attacking each other.”
Safeway Hawaii Sends $17,000 to Japan
Safeway’s customers and employees in 19 stores in Hawaii raised more than $17,000 to aid Japan’s people in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami of March 11.
In addition to Safeway matching all employee donations, the Safeway Foundation contributed another $100,000.
“We are so grateful to Safeway for their compassion in this time of great tragedy,” said Coralie Matayoshi, CEO of the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter. “Their efforts in raising much-needed funds for the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake & Pacific Tsunami relief effort will help us save lives and give hope to the people of Japan. We cannot thank them enough for their wonderful contribution to the cause of humanity.”
Safeway has raised funds to aid in other disaster relief efforts, including the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, the 2004 Southeast Asia tsunami, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the Haiti earthquake.
Hawaii Musicians – Turned Pro in California – Reunite at Hawaii’s Hard Rock Cafe
Neil Patrick of the San Diego-based band REEF BOUND SOL, an Alternative/rock/reggae band formed in 2010, told Hawaii Reporter that the band, which has some local boys, will perform at the Hard Rock Waikiki on May 28th at 9:30 p.m.
Patrick was in the Hawaii-based band Sunburn in the late 90s -Sunburn won a Hoku award for best Rock album in 1999, was the first local rock band to be played on KPOI radio, and has opened for Big Mele, Poifest, Soundgarden, Van Halen and Sugar Ray.
“This is my first time back, since Sunburn left with Van Halen’s management, to pursue a record deal in 2000. Sunburn dis banned shortly after 911, due to a conflict of interests. But I am excited to say 3 of the members including myself will be doing several songs after RBS hits the stage,” Patrick said. “I look forward to coming home.”
Guitarist Jeff Bruckman is from Hawaii Kai, and graduated from Kaiser High School before attending M.I.T in L.A.