Kamehameha Schools again moves to hire a new trustee

Candidates are again being sought to fill a vacancy on the five-member Kamehameha Schools board of trustees after one of three finalists withdrew from the search.

A court-appointed screening committee last summer had submitted to a probate court judge the names of three finalists for consideration to replace Janeen-Ann Olds, whose reappointment as a trustee was rejected by the court in late 2015. Olds, the CEO of Sandwich Isles Communications, lost the support of her fellow trustees and a number of prominent Kamehameha Schools alumni over the controversy surrounding the telecommunications company, whose founder was sent to prison after he was convicted of federal tax evasion.

The trustee finalists, who were selected from among 70 applications, were Maenette Ah Nee-Benham, inaugural dean of the Hawai‘inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and newly appointed chancellor of UH West Oahu; Kamanamaikalani Beamer, a UH-Manoa associate professor with a joint appointment in the William S. Richardson School of Law and the School of Hawaiian Knowledge; and C. Kanoelani Naone, CEO of the Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture, or INPEACE.

A probate judge in November ordered the screening committee to reconvene and reopened the application process after one of the finalists withdrew “due to unforeseen circumstances.” (The court ensures the trust abides by the will of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last direct descendant of Kamehameha I, who left her estate to found Kamehameha Schools.)

While the judge did not identify the candidate who withdrew, Benham confirmed that she backed out of the trustee search.

“I did withdraw due to my appointment as chancellor of UH West Oahu, which provided me an opportunity to affect educational transformation for both Native Hawaiians and all people of Hawaii,” Benham said in an emailed statement.

The court is again seeking three finalists for a five-year term that would end June 30, 2022. The compensation for trustees is $165,000 a year, while the chairman receives $207,000 annually.

The screening committee is accepting applications through March 17. The committee, according to an advertisement, is seeking candidates “who possess a deep sense of commitment and willingness to carry Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop’s vision and legacy into the future.” Kamehameha Schools says it has 48,000 students, including preschoolers. It has kindergarten-through-high school campuses on three islands. It also runs community outreach programs.

According to Kamehameha Schools, other desired traits and characteristics for applicants include a recognized reputation of integrity and good character; respect from and for the community; and consistent and active leadership in the community with specific emphasis on issues affecting the well-being of Hawaii’s people. Candidates also need to possess demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following areas: business administration, finance and investment, strategic planning and policy setting, education, law or governance.

Sitting trustees are Corbett Kalama, Micah Kane, Lance Wilhelm and Robert Nobriga. Kalama, the board’s chairman, said the trustees have not been hampered by the vacancy on the board.

“The work and administration of Kamehameha Schools continues without interruption. We are fully engaged in the work of our mission, supported by dedicated teachers and staff and a passionate community, and guided by our strategic plan and our vision of a thriving lahui (the Hawaiian race) within one generation,” Kalama said in an emailed statement. “We look forward to the next appointment at the court’s earliest convenience, both from the perspective of welcoming the contributions of new experience and talent to share our kuleana (responsibility) and also out of deep respect for abiding by Pauahi’s wishes.”

Qualified candidates need to submit a resume and cover letter along with a statement on their view of the role of a trustee; their vision, goals and objectives for the trust estate; and how they would attain those goals. Applications can be mailed to Trustee Screening Committee, c/o Inkinen & Associates, 1003 Bishop St., Suite 1477, Honolulu, HI 96813. Applications can also be emailed to executives@inkinen.com.