KIUC committee seeks applications for directors

Those interested in running for the three seats on the Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative board of directors have until Tuesday, Jan. 3, to let members of a nominating committee know their intentions.

The three seats, currently filled by directors whose terms expire in March of next year, are currently held by board Chairman Gregg Gardiner, Vice Chair Ronald D. Kouchi, and Susan Stayton.

The election in March will be for those three seats, for three-year terms on the board.

In accordance with KIUC’s bylaws, members of a nominating committee have been appointed to select individuals to run for three director positions on the nine-member KIUC board.

The individuals serving on the nominating committee include Shanna Pollard, publisher of The Garden Island; Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua’i Visitors Bureau; former Kaua’i County Councilman Joe Munechika; former Kaua’i Police Department Chief Calvin Fujita; and current KIUC board member and former state Rep. Teofilo “Phil” Tacbian.

They will recommend individuals as nominees for the three available seats. These individuals will be on the ballot for the March 18 election.

KIUC members who wish to be considered by members of the nominating committee should submit a one-page resume and letter of interest by Tuesday, Jan. 3, addressed to KIUC Nominating Committee, 4463 Pahe’e St., Lihu’e, HI 96766.

Members of the committee will review the qualifications of interested candidates and announce their selection of nominees no later than Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Committee members are looking for members of KIUC who have past experience serving on the boards of community or nonprofit organizations or government organizations, and those willing to accept the responsibilities and obligations of a director, which include taking the time necessary to prepare for, attend, and take an active part in board meetings, they said.

A director is one of nine elected representatives of the members of KIUC who collectively constitute the board of directors.

Members of the board of directors govern the business and affairs of KIUC, and are generally concerned with the broad courses of action to be followed by the utility, and are not involved in the day-to-day utility operations.

Qualified KIUC members may also be nominated 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 Monday, Feb. 6.

All candidates with valid petitions will be placed on the ballot for the Saturday, March 18, election.

For more information, please see the Web site, www.kiuc.coop, or contact KIUC’s election hotline at 246-4378.