The full Senate unanimously confirmed the governor’s nine appointees to the Board of Education today.

Before taking a vote, senators praised the nominees and urged them to take bold steps to improve public education in the islands.

"Among the nine we have chief executive officers, university administrators, community leaders, educators, attorneys and passionate advocates," said state Sen. Jill Tokuda, chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee.

But, she added, "This clearly is a case where the proverbial sum is greater than its parts."

After the confirmation, the board members were sworn in at a ceremony in the governor’s offices.

The new members are:

>> Don Horner, First Hawaiian Bank chief executive officer and chairman, who will serve as chairman of the board;

>> Keith Amemiya, former executive director of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association and current executive administrator and secretary of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents;

>> Former television news anchor Kim Gennaula, now philanthropy director at Kapiolani Health Foundation;

>> Attorney Brian DeLima, an attorney and former Hawaii County Council member;

>> Attorney Nancy Budd, former president of the Kauai Parent Teacher Student Association;

>> Wesley Lo, CEO at Maui Memorial Medical Center;

>> Jim Williams, retired administrator and CEO of the Hawaii Employer-Union Benefits Trust Fund;

>> Cheryl Kauhane Lupenui, CEO of YWCA-Oahu

>> Charlene Cuaresma, associate director of the Graduate Professional Access Program at the University of Hawaii-Manoa and a leader in the Filipino community.

The board, whose members will serve staggered terms, will meet for the first time April 26.