Reform process for picking regents

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 29, 2012

~~<p>Hawaii's Democratic 2006 Legislature undermined then-Republican Gov. Linda Lingle's authority to appoint University of Hawaii regents six years ago, and Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie is understandably frustrated by the lingering muzzle. Legislators should admit the mistake, which has contributed to a feeble regents board, and move to undo the damage.</p>
<p>Several of Lingle's choices for the Board of Regents were blocked by the Legislature before it created a constitutional amendment that expanded the board from 12 to 15 regents and created an "advisory" screening council with six members — only one named by the governor — to nominate potential regents.</p>
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Hawaii's Democratic 2006 Legislature undermined then-Republican Gov. Linda Lingle's authority to appoint University of Hawaii regents six years ago, and Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie is understandably frustrated by the lingering muzzle. Legislators should admit the mistake, which has contributed to a feeble regents board, and move to undo the damage.

Several of Lingle's choices for the Board of Regents were blocked by the Legislature before it created a constitutional amendment that expanded the board from 12 to 15 regents and created an "advisory" screening council with six members — only one named by the governor — to nominate potential regents. Login for more...