6 UH Regents Confirmed

By Maui Now Staff

The Hawai‘i State Senate confirmed the appointment of four new members and renewed the appointment of two Regents.

Among the newly confirmed members is Carl Carlson Jr., who will serve as the representative for Hawai’i County. Carlson is originally from Maui and is a Baldwin High School Graduate. He is the founder of Hu‘ehu‘e Ventures, a real estate consulting and agricultural property management firm.

Carlson has more than 40 years of experience in real estate, ranching and agriculture in the state. He earned a BS from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo.

The terms for the newly confirmed members becomes effective on July 1, 2012; while the renewed appointments are effective immediately.

Others on the regent confirmation list include:

John C. Dean, (Honolulu County): Dean is president and chief executive officer of Central Pacific Bank and Central Pacific Financial Corporation. He has 31 years experience in the banking industry.  Dean is a graduate of Holy Cross College and holds an MBA in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Benjamin A. Kudo, (at-large representative): Kudo is the chief financial officer and the manager of the land use, administrative and environmental law group of Imanaka Kudo & Fujimoto. Previously, he held positions with two of Hawaii’s major agriculture and land development corporations. Kudo is a graduate of ‘Iolani School and the University of Washington.  He earned an MBA and a PhD from the University of Hawai‘i, and holds a JD from Georgetown University Law Center.

Tom H. Shigemoto, (Kaua‘i County): Shigemoto is vice president of planning for A&B Properties, Inc., the real estate development division of Alexander and Baldwin, Inc.  Previously, he served as Director of Planning for Princeville Corporation, and Planning Director for the County of Kaua‘i.  Shigemoto is a graduate of Kaua‘i High School and the University of Hawai‘i, where he received his BFA in urban and regional design.

Jeffrey T. Acido (student regent): Acido is a graduate student working towards an MA in Asian studies, focusing on the Philippines, with a concentration in Ilokano. Acido was born in the Philippines, and grew up in Kalihi.  He graduated from Farrington High School and attended Honolulu Community College and Kapi‘olani Community College, earning a BA in religion at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and a master’s in theology from a seminary in Berkeley, California.

Barry T. Mizuno (Hawai‘i County): Mizuno is the founder of BTM, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in renewable energy in Hawai‘i.  He has had 35 years experience in accounting and finance, government service and energy development.

Continuing University of Hawai‘i Regents include:

• Eric K. Martinson (Honolulu County, term ends 2014);
• James H.Q. Lee (Honolulu County, term ends 2014);
• A. Baxa (Maui County, term ends 2013);
• Michael A. Dahilig (at-large, term ends 2013);
• Chuck Y. Gee (Honolulu County, term ends 2015);
• John C. Holzman (Honolulu County, term ends 2014);
• Coralie Chun Matayoshi (Honolulu County, term ends 2016);
• Saedene Ota (Maui County, term ends 2015); and
• Jan Naoe Sullivan (Honolulu County, term ends 2016).