Election of three new members of the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s board of directors happens next month. In advance of that, the existing, nine-member KIUC board this week formed a nominating committee to identify individuals interested in seeking election to
Election of three new members of the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s board of directors happens next month.
In advance of that, the existing, nine-member KIUC board this week formed a nominating committee to identify individuals interested in seeking election to one of the three available board positions.
Current board member Walt Barnes, who was elected to a one-year term earlier this year but has decided not to seek re-election, agreed to chair the nominating committee.
Other volunteers agreeing to serve on the nominating committee include Mary Lou Barela, executive director of Hale ‘Opio, Inc.; Jerry Gibson, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort & Spa; community advocate, volunteer and consultant Wanda Shibata; and Kaua‘i Democratic Party leader Turk Tokita.
The committee will recommend a slate of individuals to seek available seats in the election, set for Saturday, Sept. 27.
KIUC members wishing to be considered by the nominating committee should submit one-page résumés and letters of interest by Friday, Aug. 8. The printed information should be mailed to the KIUC Nominating Committee, 4463 Pahe‘e St., Lihu‘e, HI 96766-2032.
The committee will review the submissions of interested candidates, and announce their selection of nominees on Wednesday, Aug. 13.
A director is one of nine elected representatives of members of KIUC who collectively constitute the board of directors.
The board governs the business and affairs of KIUC, and is generally concerned with the broad courses of action to be followed by the utility, and not involved in day-to-day operations.
Qualified KIUC members may also be nominated for the election by collecting 35 signatures of other members (electric account holders) in good standing and submitting a completed member petition to the nominating committee no later than Tuesday, Sept. 2.
All candidates chosen by the nominating committee or with valid petitions will be placed on the ballot for the Sept. 27 election. For more information, please call KIUC’s election hotline, 246-4383, or see the Web site, http://www.kiuc.coop.
Besides Barnes, Po‘ipu’s Abel Medeiros, also elected to a one-year term earlier this year, has said he will not seek re-election.
Board chair Gregg Gardiner, the third member elected to a one-year term, has not yet made a decision about making a re-election bid.
Carryover members include Ron Kouchi, Dennis Esaki and John Bandmann, all elected to three-year terms in February; and Susan Stayton, Randy Hee, and Sab Yoshioka, elected to two-year terms.
There were 31 candidates for nine board seats in the first KIUC board election.
Election day at the end of next month will include KIUC’s first annual membership meeting and a celebration of the first anniversary of the successful purchase of Kauai Electric from Citizens Communications of Connecticut.
Held at Kukui Grove Park and Pavilion, the gathering will include a fun zone for children, food, drinks, fellowship, and announcement of election results.
Anne Barnes, director of communications for KIUC, hopes people will vote in the election, and turn out for the fun, festivities and fellowship at the park.
In the first KIUC board election, there were 22,373 registered voters, but just 7,595 ballots cast, for a 33.95 percent voter turnout.
