David Y.Ige | Governor’s Office Press Release: Governor Ige Appoints Two New Members to HU Board of Trustees

HONOLULU — Governor David Ige has named bank vice president Gabriel Lee and nonprofit administrator Laurie Tochiki to the University of Hawaii system’s board of trustees.

Lee is currently Executive Vice President of Commercial Markets at American Savings Bank. He was previously vice president and head of commercial banking at First Hawaiian Bank, and vice president and chief marketing officer at Bank of Hawaiʻi. Lee attended graduate school at Dartmouth College, earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Hawaii, and graduated from St. Louis School.

If confirmed by the state Senate, Lee will fill the general seat currently held by Benjamin Kudo beginning July 1. The five-year term expires June 30, 2027.

Tochiki is the executive director of the nonprofit EPIC ʻOhana – which aims to strengthen Hawaii’s families and improve the well-being of children and youth. She also held various positions at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii. Tochiki served as a lecturer from 2012-2014 and 2019, Director of Child Welfare Projects from 2005-2012, Associate Dean of Student Services from 1999-2011, and Adjunct and Assistant Professor. She has also served as a legal assistant and coordinator for Kids First with the First Circuit Family Court, a research analyst with the Hawaii State Judiciary, and a teacher at Kapiʻolani Community College.

Tochiki holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy from the University of Hawaii College of Education, a Masters of Science in Administration from the Hawaii Campus of Central Michigan University, a Juris Doctor from the William S. Richardson School of Law and a BA from Whitman College. in Washington. She graduated from Waipahu High School.

If Tochiki is confirmed by the state senate, she takes the Honolulu City and County seat, now held by Simeon Acoba. His five-year term begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2027.

The BOR is made up of 11 volunteer regents who formulate policy and have exclusive jurisdiction over the internal structure, management and operation of the university. Board members are nominated by the Regent Candidates Advisory Council, nominated by the Governor, and confirmed by the State Senate.

Laurie Tochiki

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Media contacts:

Jodi Leong

Deputy director of communication / press officer

Governor’s Office

Office: 808-586-0043

[email protected]

Cindy McMillan

Communications Director

Governor’s Office

Office: 808-586-0012

Mobile: 808-265-7974

[email protected]