Nahale-a should have been approved
I was extremely disappointed that the Higher Education Committee (and later the state Senate) chose to vote against Alapaki Nahale-a’s nomination for the University of Hawaii Board of Regents.
I have known Alapaki for over 20 years in his different professional capacities. I worked with him while he was an aide for the Hawaii County Council, and then his subsequent careers at a Hawaiian immersion charter school, at Kamehameha Schools and Laupahoehoe charter school.
Based on my experience, I have always found him to be intelligent, articulate, professional, genuine and caring. He makes decisions not unilaterally but through a “ground up” approach.
Having the privilege of serving as a regent, I could not think of a better person to represent our Big Island community. Alapaki, is keenly aware of the needs of the Hilo campus and, more importantly, the long overlooked needs of Hawaii Community College.
Hawaii Community College needs a major overhaul or building a new campus. Plans have been on the books for years, even possible locations. Unfortunately, under previous UH presidents (Dobelle and Lassner), that plan has languished. We need to address the needs of Hawaii Community College sooner than later. Alapaki, with his land use experience (county and Kamehameha Schools) is the best person to do that.
Finally, I understand that the Higher Education Committee was concerned about student housing at Manoa and that Hale Noelani is a wasted asset. That cannot be attributed to Alapaki. The person who should be accountable is outgoing President Lassner. You will recall that he held onto the title of Manoa chancellor and system president. I have always believed that was a fundamental mistake.
Each campus has its own identity. The UH president should be the overall coordinator and not take on the nearly overwhelming responsibilities as Manoa chancellor. The Manoa chancellor should have been aware of Hale Noelani’s misuse. The best analogy I can make is that the governor would serve as governor and also represent a Senate district at the same time.
That’s an impossible task, even if it were constitutional. But that should not fall on Alapaki. The role of the regents is to set university policy, including the hiring of top university executives. The role of the regents is not to get involved in day-to-day operations. That is the responsibility of the UH system and campus staff.
The Higher Education Committee’s disapproval is misplaced, and the Hale Noelani fiasco should not fall on Alapaki’s and the regents’ shoulders.
Ted H. S. Hong
Hilo