Rachel Solemsaas is being recommended as the next chancellor at Hawaii Community College, the University of Hawaii said.

Her selection is contingent on approval by the university’s Board of Regents at its meeting this Thursday, UH said Thursday in a news release.

She would become the new chancellor July 1. Solemsaas, 50, has been vice president for finance and administrative services at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nev., for the past four years.

She also worked for about seven years in finance administration at two Seattle-area community colleges and previously as a principal accountant, a chief financial officer and a financial director in Washington state, UH said.

Solemsaas earned a doctorate in higher education with emphasis on community college leadership from Washington State University, and a master’s in public administration from the University of Washington. She earned a bachelor’s in accounting from De La Salle University in Manila.

Invasive-pest measures die in the Senate

HILO >> Two bills supporting efforts to combat invasive pests on Hawaii island, including one that attacks a highly profitable agricultural crop in Hawaii, have failed to make it through the state Senate.

The legislation, which addresses little fire ants and an insect that kills macadamia trees, was referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee after passing the House in March. However, the bills never received a hearing before the committee and did not meet a deadline to move forward in the Senate, The Hawaii Tribune- Herald reported Thursday.

The legislation aimed at mitigating the impacts of the macadamia felted coccid, an invasive species that destroys macadamia trees, would have provided funding for more research and treatment.

The little fire ant bill would have launched a pilot coupon program allowing residents with infestations to receive a year’s worth of appropriate treatment. The legislation would have also required the Agricultural Department to conduct a study of all infestation sites.