There's been tremendous public interest in the Senate Special Committee on Accountability's hearings on the University of Hawaii's management issues.
While public reaction to the hearings have included calls for everything from firing top UH administrators to subpoenaing public officials to have them testify under oath, that is not the purview of the Accountability Committee or the desire of the Legislature.
Here are the facts to help you understand the committee's scope:
• The committee's task is to review the oversight, accountability, and transparency of the operational and financial management of the University of Hawaii, including the Manoa athletics program.The University as an autonomous entity:
• Since the legislature is not in session, the committee may conduct informational briefings to gather information and request individuals to testify before the committee. After gathering the information, the committee will submit a report with recommendations.
• At this stage the committee does not have the authority to subpoena or put any individuals under oath.
• Once the 2013 Legislature opens, a resolution needs to be voted upon to establish the Special Committee on Accountability as an investigative committee with the authority to subpoena testifiers to appear before the committee.
• The voters approved a Constitutional amendment granting a significant degree of autonomy to the University of Hawaii to govern its own affairs.
• The Board of Regents members are appointed by the Governor from a list of recommended nominees and confirmed by the Senate. Once they are confirmed there is no provision to remove a Regent from the Board
• With self-governance in place, the Legislature cannot take action to overturn UH decisions or to hire and fire administrative/leadership personnel.
The Senate Leadership has assigned the Senate Special Committee on Accountability the task to "review the oversight, accountability, and transparency of the operational and financial management of the University of Hawaii System, including but not limited to the University of Hawaii at Manoa Athletics Department."
As Chair of this Committee, Senator Kim will conduct the briefing looking into the transparency and accountability of the University's operations, in the wake of the recent cancelation of the Stevie Wonder concert and the administration's responses to that situation.
The committee is comprised of Vice Chair Senator Jill Tokuda and Senators Les Ihara, Jr., Ron Kouchi, and Sam Slom as members.
The first public informational briefing will be held on Monday, September 24, 1:00 p.m., in State Capitol Room 211. Only written testimony will be accepted which can be submitted by email to
SCATestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov (10mb limit) or by mail to:
Senate Special Committee on Accountability
415 South Beretania St. Room 210
Honolulu, HI 96813