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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, April 3, 2008

Lingle wants to keep Lagareta

Advertiser Staff

Gov. Linda Lingle has nominated Kitty Lagareta, a communications executive and the governor's former political adviser, to another term on the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents.

Lagareta, a former board chairwoman, was one of five nominees the governor has sent to the state Senate for confirmation. The nominations — and seven others still pending — will reshape the 15-member board.

Lingle picked Artemio Baxa, a deputy prosecuting attorney and former judge on Maui, for a Maui seat; Carl Carlson Jr., a consultant, for a West Hawai'i seat; Harvey Tajiri, a former state representative and Big Island County Council member, for an East Hawai'i seat; Teena Rasmussen, co-owner of a flower business on Maui, for an at-large seat; and Lagareta for an at-large seat.

Current regents Andres Albano Jr. and Michael Dahilig were on the list of potential nominees for at-large seats but were not tapped for new terms.

The regent nominations are Lingle's first since state lawmakers, backed by a constitutional amendment approved by voters, created an advisory council to recommend a list of potential nominees to the governor.

Lingle opposed the change as a restriction on her discretion to choose her own nominees.