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Statement released Tuesday, Dec. 29 from the University of Hawaii administration:

“We strongly disagree with UHPA’s allegation that today’s action implementing the administration’s final formal offer is a ‘breach of contract.;

The University of Hawaii is following the law.

UHPA is in error in their interpretation of the language of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Former Justice Mario Ramil issued a very narrow ruling and only stated that the CBA between UH and UHPA continued during negotiations for a new contract. After 15 months of negotiations, the parties are at impasse under State law and thus, there are no more negotiations.

The CBA clearly states that the negotiations for renewal of a contract ’shall be as provided by law.’

With negotiations at an impasse, and no resolution to the budget crisis, we must move forward with the implementation of our final formal offer.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents and President M.R.C. Greenwood today announced that the salary reductions proposed for UH faculty in the final formal offer to the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) will be implemented Jan. 1, 2010.

The administration’s formal written offer of Sept. 15, 2009 called for a temporary 5 percent salary reduction during a new two-year contract. This offer was rejected by UHPA.

UHPA instead proposed a new four-year contract with a temporary 5 percent pay reduction in the first two years, followed by restoration to current salary levels plus a 7.5 percent salary increase in the third year and then an additional 7.5 percent increase in the fourth year. Negotiations are at impasse.

In separate letters to UHPA and members of the faculty, UH President Greenwood said the administration is implementing its Sept. 15 offer. Because it is being implemented over the shorter 18-month period, the temporary 5 percent salary reduction proposed for 24 months will be taken as a 6.667 percent temporary reduction over 18 months.

Greenwood said the administration decided to implement its final formal offer in order to sustain operations through the rest of this fiscal year and next. The university’s clerical and administrative, professional and technical staff, represented by HGEA, previously ratified new contracts that include equivalent temporary 5 percent salary reductions over the current two-year biennium.

While Greenwood supports salary increases for faculty, she noted that “until the economy improves and UH funding is stabilized, we simply do not have the money to meet the expectations of UHPA.”

The temporary salary reduction will not affect faculty members paid through non-appropriated funds, such as extramural contracts and grants. It will also not affect faculty members who retire before June 30, 2010.

“I remain committed to working with the leadership of UHPA and the faculty to reach a mutually acceptable settlement that responsibly addresses the university’s critical economic challenges and the longer term need for competitive faculty salaries,” Greenwood said.

— Find out more:

www.hawaii.edu/offices/op/2009/1228-salary.html

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The University of Hawaiʻi is pleased to announce that over 2,000 candidates will be receiving their undergraduate and advanced degrees from UH Mānoa, UH West Oʻahu and UH Hilo during the fall 2009 commencement ceremonies.

UH West Oʻahu is pleased to be graduating its first recipients of a bachelor of education (B.Ed.) degree in elementary education. This B.Ed program prepares highly qualified K-6 teachers for Hawaiʻi’s workforce with a particular emphasis on meeting the needs of schools in Leeward Oʻahu. While some graduates will pursue teaching positions on the Leeward side and Waianae coast with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, others will work toward a master’s degree from UH Manoa. Since implementation in fall 2007, the program has grown to 157 elementary education majors and a staff of eight professional teacher educators.

UH Hilo is proud to be graduating one of its youngest students to earn a four-year degree. Student speaker Gladys Tong Hoi Yee, 18, will be awarded a bachelor of arts in business administration during the fall ceremony. She was schooled in her native Singapore, Hong Kong and Mainland China before enrolling at UH Hilo where she completed her degree in two-and-a half years.

UH Mānoa will be awarding the Regents’ Medal of Distinction to the late William Kwai Fong Yap, who is know as the founder of the university due to his efforts to elevate it from a college to the university level. A respected education advocate, businessperson and civic leader, Yap’s contributions to UH Mānoa continue through his family.

The fall 2009 commencement schedule is as follows:

Friday, December 18

UH Mānoa College of Engineering
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Campus Center Ballroom
Speaker: Jadine Urasaki, PE, Public Works Manager, Construction Management Section, Department of Education

UH West Oʻahu
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Leeward Community College Theatre
Keynote Speaker: Darin Pilialoha, Nanakuli High and Intermediate School Principal and UH West Oʻahu graduate
Student Speaker: Tracy Takazono, Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education
Candidates: 109
Ceremony will be streamed live online at www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/commencement

Saturday, December 19

UH Hilo
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: UH Hilo New Gymnasium
Speaker: Wayne Y. Hamano, Vice Chair and Chief Commercial Officer for Bank of Hawai’i
Student Speaker: Gladys Tong Hoi Yee, Business Administration major
Candidates: 269

UH Mānoa
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Stan Sheriff Center
Speaker: Dr. Virginia Pressler, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategic Officer of Hawai’i Pacific Health, MBA, MS and MD graduate from UH Mānoa
Candidates: over 1,600

UH Community Colleges Leadership Champions named

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HONOLULU – The University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges (UHCC) has selected its 6th Generation to its Community Colleges Leadership Champions (CCLC) program. The leadership development program was established six years ago through the generosity of the Joyce S. Tsunoda UHCC Leadership Development Endowment Fund to nurture leadership by growing leaders from within and to identify, encourage, develop and support the next generation of community college leadership.

A candidate from each of the community college’s seven campuses is selected by their college for the 18-month-long program. The CCLC 6th Generation includes:

• Ryan Daniels, Maui Community College
• Sherri Fujita, Hawaiʻi Community College
• Sandra Hoshino, Leeward Community College
• Kristine Korey-Smith, Kapiʻolani Community College
• Carla Rogers, Windward Community College
• Calvin Shirai, Kauaʻi Community College
• Preshess Willets-Vaquilar, Honolulu Community College

Kauaʻi Community College Chancellor Helen Cox presides as the lead mentor for the program.

Candidates for the program may be any faculty, staff or administrator currently employed by a UH community college campus who has demonstrated leadership potential, working for the greater good, and who desires to pursue personal and professional development in community college leadership. These leaders represent liberal arts, career and technical programs, continuing education and training, student services, and administrative services.

Governor Lingle releases $203 million for University of Hawai‘i capital improvements, maintenance and new construction

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HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released over the last quarter $203,144,000 for renovations and new construction at University of Hawai‘i campuses statewide. The projects include improvements to the Campus Center at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and the Student Services Building at UH-Hilo, a new Hawaiian Language building at UH-Hilo, a new Cancer Research Center at the UH School of Medicine in Kaka‘ako, and capital renewal and deferred maintenance projects at University of Hawai‘i campuses statewide. The funds were appropriated by the Legislature this past legislative session.

The funds for the UH-Mānoa Campus Center, UH-Hilo Student Services building, UH-Hilo Hawaiian Language building and UH-Hilo College of Pharmacy building support the State’s capital improvement project and infrastructure construction plan to stimulate Hawai‘i’s economy and create jobs.

Funds for the capital renewal and deferred maintenance projects are part of the State’s continuing efforts to address the backlog of repair and maintenance projects and to reinvest in the University’s physical infrastructure.

UH-Mānoa Campus Center

At UH-Mānoa, $39,675,000 will be used for continuing renovations to the Campus Center, which are being implemented in three phases. The first phase, which began in 2006 and concluded last year, involved the upgrade of the center’s public restrooms and the creation of gathering areas for students at the second floor forum area.

Phase II, which will be financed by this latest allotment, will renovate Hemenway Hall, including the relocation of the Board of Publications which is currently housed in the Engineering Quad, the site for the new Recreation Center (Phase III). In addition, renovations will be made to Hemenway Hall’s Theater and a small portion of the second floor of the building. The total area to be renovated is 3,871 gross square feet.

The allotment will also be used to finance Phase III, which includes the development of a new 55,951 gross square feet addition to the existing Campus Center Complex. The new addition will include space for a new lobby and recreation uses, as well as a new multi-purpose gymnasium.

Construction on Phase II is expected to be completed in August 2010. Phase III construction is scheduled to be competed in March 2012.

UH-Mānoa Cancer Research Center

The University will utilize $28,000,000 to finance the planning and design costs for the Cancer Research Center of Hawai‘i project in Kaka‘ako. The new center in Kaka‘ako would help the Cancer Research Center of Hawai‘i to maintain its National Cancer Institute designation as a recognized cancer center.

The funds released will enable the University to initiate plans and design, including the hiring of a project manager, development team and project consultants. The approved release of the funds and subsequent commencement of the planning and design will ensure the continuation of a $1 million per year NCI federal grant that supports ongoing research at the Cancer Research Center of Hawai‘i.

UH-Hilo Student Services Building

The Governor has released $27,469,000 for the design and construction of the Student Services Building renovation and addition at UH-Hilo. The project will provide an addition to the existing Student Services Building to consolidate the campus’ student services programs and facilitate future program expansion. The Student Services Building was built over 25 years ago and was originally designed as an Administration Building; however, due to expanding student enrollment and programs, the administrative functions were moved. Continued growth of student services has led to overcrowding in the building, including hallways being used for work areas, files and storage. The new addition will provide adequate space to meet student services program needs.

Of the funds released, $337,000 will be used for the design, which includes the bidding and construction administration phases, furniture and equipment plans and specifications, and design of a new photovoltaic system. The balance, $27,132,000 will be used for construction. Construction is expected to be completed in July 2011.

UH-Hilo Hawaiian Language Building

The Governor has released $1 million to finance the continuation of the design for the development of the College of Hawaiian Language Building at UH-Hilo. Currently, the college is dispersed in several buildings. The new facility will allow the College to consolidate its operations. The project will provide a state-of-the-art facility that will increase the visibility of the College of Hawaiian Language and supply the physical resources to accommodate continued curriculum development, distance education needs and high-tech learning.

UH System-wide Capital Renewal and Deferred Maintenance

The Governor also recently released $107 million to UH as part of the State’s efforts to address the University’s critical maintenance backlog of $368.4 million. UH officials have projected that $104 million is needed to be invested annually in infrastructure and facility improvements to close the backlog in eight years.

The $107 million will be used for repairs and maintenance projects including reroofing, mechanical and electrical systems, renovations, resurfacing, repainting and other improvements to upgrade facilities at all UH campuses. The projects will ensure the University’s facilities and physical infrastructure are functional, architecturally sound, aesthetically pleasing and in compliance with building and safety codes.

Projects include:
UH-Mānoa: Elevator and conveying system work, fire detection systems, air conditioning and ventilation equipment and controls, chiller upgrades, reroofing, plumbing, lighting and electrical equipment upgrades.

UH-Hilo: Air conditioning upgrades, reroofing, parking repairs and repaving, fire projection, and building modernization.

UH-West O‘ahu: Construction to repair wooden decks.

Community Colleges: Air conditioning repairs, renovations and reroofing.

UH System: Asset and space management plans for campus repair and maintenance needs.

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The University of Hawaii at Hilo hung around for 37 minutes before losing 76-65 to the University of Hawaii in an exhibition game in the Stan Sheriff Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii.

With just two returning seniors on his squad, 12th-year head coach Jeff Law made the most of his annual match-up with the Division I Warriors.

“I was happy with our effort,” Law said. “I was a little concerned with so many new guys, putting together and playing against competition like this.”

Justin Smith led the Vulcans with 19 points on 9 of 17 shooting from the field. He also had four rebounds, three assists and a steal.

“Justin’s a good kid, a hard worker and the guys like him,” Law said. “He doesn’t have a lot of negative vibes about him. He can do a lot of different things. For him do to what he did against those guys says a lot about him.”

First-team pre-season all-PacWest selection Bryan Ngo had a rough start to his senior campaign with a 2-for-13 performance from the field for eight points. He also had five rebounds, an assist, two steals and two turnovers.

“Bryan goes a hundred miles an hour,” Law said. “His problem tonight was he got too deep in the forest and couldn’t get the ball through the limbs or the ball around the trunks. He’ll learn from that. He had a couple of games like that last year too.”

UH-Hilo vs Hawai`i
10/30/09 7:05 p.m. at Stan Sheriff Center – Honolulu, HI

UH-Hilo 65

Hawai`i 76

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President M.R.C. Greenwood to give first official speech to university community

The University of Hawai‘i 2009 Convocation Awards Ceremony on September 15 will be a special celebration this year as it honors more than 40 faculty and staff from the university’s 10 campuses across the state with various teaching, research and service awards, as well as welcomes the university’s new president, M.R.C. Greenwood.

President Greenwood will be delivering her first address to the university community at the commencement of the new academic year. The Board of Regents, campus chancellors and administrators, friends and family of the award recipients will also join her in celebrating the accomplishments of these faculty and staff members.

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and will be held at Kennedy Theatre on the UH Mānoa campus. The ceremony is free and open to the public. It will also be broadcast live on the UH Mānoa Campus Cable Channel 67 via streaming video and at the following campus HITS locations:

• Kaua‘i CC – LRC 121
• Leeward CC – Library Room 116
• Maui CC – Kaʻaike Room 105CD
• Moloka‘i Education Center – Room 103
• Lanai Education Center – Room 106
• UH Center at West Hawaiʻi – Building 4 Room 3
• UH Hilo &nda! sh; Mo&# 699;okini Library room 344

Presented annually to recognize faculty and staff from all the campuses throughout the UH system for their excellence in teaching, research and service, the awards include:

• Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching
• Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research
• Willard Wilson Award for Distinguished Service to the University
• President’s Award for Excellence in Buildings and Grounds Maintenance
• Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
• Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Career and Technical Education
• Robert W. Clopton Award for Outstanding Service to the Community
• UH Mānoa Chancellor’s Citation for Meritorious Teaching
• UH Mānoa Chancellor’s Awards for Outstanding Service
• UH Mānoa Distinguished Graduate Mentoring Award
• UH Hilo Chancellor’s Awards
• UH West O‘ahu Chancellor’s Award
• Hawaiʻi Community College Chancellor’s Award
• Kauaʻi Community College Chancellor’s Award
• Leeward Community College Chancellor’s Award
• Maui Community College Chancellor’s Award
• Windward Community College Chancellor’s Award

For more information about the university’s Convocation awards ceremony and awardees, visit www.hawaii.edu/about/awards

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HONOLULU – The University of Hawai‘i Foundation has elected Michael Tresler and Brandt Farias to its Board of Trustees.

Michael Tresler

Michael Tresler is the Senior Vice President of Grove Farm Company, Inc. headquartered in Lihue. He joined the company in 2007 as vice president. Previously he served as Kaua‘i County’s finance director. Prior to that, he worked as director of finance for the American Heart Association, Hawai‘i chapter.

Tresler earned a BBA ’91 in accounting from UH Mānoa and is a certified public accountant. He played football for UH Mānoa from 1987-90. Currently Tresler is a coach for the Kaua‘i High School football team and serves on the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s nominating committee. He has also served as the Kaua‘i Police Activities League (KPAL) president since 2007. His other affiliations have included the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce and the Kaua‘i Economic Development Board’s renewable energy committee.

Brandt Farias

Brandt Farias is an Executive Vice President in charge of the Marketing Communications Division at First Hawaiian Bank. He has more than 25 years of marketing experience and currently oversees the bank’s advertising, corporate communications, direct mail and special events departments, as well as its wealth management, deposit and IRA product areas. He was appointed to the bank’s senior management committee in January 2006.

Farias earned his BA ’81 in journalism from UH Mānoa. He is a graduate of Stanford’s Executive Management program and currently serves on the board of Catholic Charities Hawaii and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Hawaii.

MEDIA RELEASE

Surpassing all expectations, the University of Hawaii’s Centennial Campaign led by the University of Hawaii Foundation, has raised $282 million in cash and pledges against a goal of $250 million. An additional $54 million in bequest intentions was also raised, bringing the grand total to $336 million. 

This brings to an end the most ambitious fundraising campaign to date in the state of Hawaii. The campaign officially ended June 30. 

“By building on the earlier Comprehensive Campaign, we have partnered with friends and supporters of our 10 campuses to build a legacy that will help position the University of Hawaii for success in this highly competitive world,” said Donna Vuchinich, president and CEO, University of Hawaii Foundation. “We are humbled by and grateful for the opportunity to carefully steward the investment our donors have made in our state’s future.”

Through the success of the Centennial Campaign, student access to higher education is enhanced, research projects whose findings may result in critical healthcare, environmental and other key breakthroughs is supported, programs for our community developed, and the everyday experience of our students throughout our 10 campuses is enhanced.  

“The resounding success of the Centennial Campaign is testament to the commitment of our community to support our university’s aspirations for the benefit of our state and beyond,” said Barry Weinman, chairman of the UH Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “Students, faculty and engaged community members are already benefiting from the impact of the campaign.” 

Centennial Campaign Summary 

Actual cash and pledges raised: $282 million

Bequest intentions: $54 million

Campaign grand total: $336 million

Number of donors: more than 93,000 

Campus Campaign Results

UH Manoa: $202 million

UH Hilo: $15.4 million

UH West Oahu: $2.7 million

Community Colleges: $30.1 million

System-wide Support: $31.5 million

Donors to the Centennial Campaign by Region

Hawaii: 70 percent

California: 12 percent

US – other: 16 percent

International: 2 percent 

Campaign gifts have supported key UH priorities  

“This is only the beginning of our efforts partnering with the university as it enters its 2nd century educating and building the workforce for our state,” Vuchinich said. “It’s very clear that the need for private support for our public universities during these challenging economic times remains great. The UH Foundation is committed to working hard and leveraging the momentum created through the Centennial Campaign to help our university and students fulfill their potential.”

The University of Hawaii Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawaii System. 

— Find out more:

UH Foundation: www.uhf.hawaii.edu

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The Hawai‘i Speed & Quickness Football Academy will be coming to Kona and Honoka‘a this Friday and Saturday.

Members of the University of Hawai‘i Warriors football team’s coaching staff will be offering instruction to Big Island athletes and their parents 6-9 p.m. Friday at Konawaena High School, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Honoka‘a High School.

Sessions for parents and athletes in all sports will include information about academic eligibility and a plan for getting young athletes into college. Other sessions will focus on “The Warrior Tradition,” offensive, defensive and special teams philosophies, and breakout sessions for different position groups.

The clinics are free and open to the public.

For the past 10 years, HSQ has provided an array of services targeting at-risk youth and disadvantaged communities throughout the state of Hawaii. HSQ is committed to providing Hawaii’s youth with modern athletic training opportunities, after-school programming, and athletically based mentoring programs in various communities through out the state of Hawai`i.

The mission of the Hawai‘i Football Academy Clinic is to help educate student-athletes in the County of Hawaii, and their families, teachers and coaches, about the relationship between academics and athletics. Hawai‘i Football Academy offers information to participants about creating a “game plan” for college bound athletes to help them be successful at the next level.

The clinics are presented by the office of Hawai‘i County Mayor Billy Kenoi. For more information, call the Department of Parks & Recreation, 961-8561.

MEDIA RELEASE

The search is underway to select an individual to succeed David McClain as president of the University of Hawaii System. 

McClain has led the 10-campus system since 2004; his term of appointment concludes July 30. 

An advisory committee appointed by the Board of Regents has begun reviewing the 200-plus applications.

Message from the Advisory Committee

The UH Advisory Presidential Selection Committee welcomes you to the University of Hawaii’s presidential search Web site.

This is an exciting time as we select a new leader who will work with the 10 campuses and the communities throughout our state to further advance the educational, research and public service missions of the university system.

We hope you will use this Web site to track the progress of the search. For community members and those of you from inside the UH family, this will be the place to find up-to-date information on the progress of the search.

For those potentially interested in the position, the Web site will be home to reports and brochures about the university and our communities, including our Native Hawaiian community. Please note the listening tours section for recent feedback from a number of UH constituent groups.

Applications and nominations are encouraged to be submitted by Feb. 20, 2009, although the position will remain open until filled. Directions for how to apply appear on the Information for Candidates page.

The advisory committee is assisted by Alberto Pimentel and Sharon Tanabe of the search firm of Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates. You can learn more about the backgrounds of the advisory committee members on this Web site.

We look forward to sharing our progress with you and working with the Board of Regents, so that the regents may announce a new president by July, if not before.

We encourage you to share your thoughts and recommendations with the advisory committee members. Write to me using our online form, or you can send me an e-mail at UHPresidentialSelection@boh.com. I will share your comments with members of the advisory committee. 

Mahalo,

Donna Tanoue, Chairwoman

— Find out more:

UH Presidential Search Selection: www.hawaii.edu/offices/bor/presidential-search/index.php

Photos by Eugene Tanner/Special to Hawaii247.org