The Senate Committee on Higher Education on April 17 voted to recommend advise-and-consent for a slate of gubernatorial nominees to several higher-education and service boards, including the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), the Hawaii Commission for National and Community Service, the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH), and the University of Hawaii Board of Regents.

The committee took several appointments out of order to accommodate witnesses' schedules. The committee considered Governor's Message (GM) 785 (WICHE nominee Wendell Hensel, term to 06/30/2029) and GM 784 (Terrence "Terry" George, term to 06/30/2028). A university official who identified themself as the university president emphasized WICHE's role in setting policy and best practices for western states and said it is important that Hawaii participate in those inter-state discussions. Terry George, who testified in support and identified himself as president and CEO of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, described his philanthropy and investments in higher-education affordability and accessibility across Hawaii's 10 campuses and said his independent perspective would complement system representation.

The committee then considered nominees to the Hawaii Commission for National and Community Service: Kylie Alarcon (GM 764), Ray Gallas (GM 765), and Sandra Larson (GM 766). Kylie Alarcon told the committee she wants to bring a student voice to the commission and was nominated by the former American Red Cross in Hawaii CEO. Ray Gallas described prior volunteer service on state boards and expressed a desire to promote volunteerism across Oahu and the neighbor islands. Sandra Larson said promoting volunteerism is important to her and that she appreciates the opportunity to serve.

The committee considered GM 771 and GM 772 for the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH) board of directors and heard from Ken Kawahara (GM 771) remotely. Kawahara said he represents the business sector and that, while he was aware of RCUH, he was still learning operational details since joining; he said he has reviewed RCUH's 2022 strategic plan and hoped to contribute business and government experience to internal operations review.

For GM 624, a nomination to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, the committee heard testimony from student leaders and university staff in support of the nominee Joshua Famuina (name variants in the record). Arnold Sturgis, chair of the University of Hawaii Student Caucus, and student speakers said the nominee had attended student-caucus meetings, helped create communication channels between students and regents, and sought campus tours and direct engagement on issues such as student housing. The nominee also answered questions about board governance, committee structure and agenda-setting; he said the board has completed a recent self-assessment but agreed its processes and public accessibility could be more actionable and user-friendly.

After discussion, the committee moved to decision making on the full slate of gubernatorial messages on the agenda (GM 764, GM 765, GM 766, GM 771, GM 772, GM 784, GM 785, GM 624) and recommended advise-and-consent to the full Senate. The chair, vice chair, and senators present voted aye; the committee report will be delivered to the Senate for floor consideration.

No action taken by the committee changed terms or conditions of appointment; each nominee's term expiration was recorded as listed on the agenda. Several supporters submitted written testimony; a few supporters provided in-person or remote remarks during the hearing.