AmCham Shanghai launches 2010 World Expo Business Series and AmCham Expo Website - AmCham Shanghai is pleased to announce the AmCham Shanghai 2010 World Expo Business Series, bringing Expo business opportunities to our members while facilitating the entry of new businesses to China. The AmCham Shanghai 2010 World Expo Business Series is supported by the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board. Confirmed speakers include Jeffrey Immelt, chairman and CEO of GE, Dr. George Buckley,chairman and CEO of 3M and Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Visit the new AmCham Shanghai Expo site at http://expo.amcham-shanghai.org for a full listing of speaker events, conferences, Expo related forums and more!

San Francisco California USA May 21 - 24 2010: UH TIM Class of 1970 40th Anniversary get together; from Left to right : Fong Kwai Lum, Paul Lun, Paul Chan, Paul Tang, Alex Hsu, Marco Chan and Peter Kwok.

San Francisco California USA May 23 2010 - UH TIM Alumni Johnson Choi, Marco Chan and Ted Sakai met at the Peter's Cafe to look at wine business opportunities

Honolulu Hawaii May 23 2010 - TIM International, Inc., contributed $10,000 to the UH Mānoa School of Travel Industry Management to help purchase upgraded software and equipment for its Gee Technology Center and computer lab.

Honolulu Hawaii May 23 2010 - TIMI heads to North Shore farm for general membership meeting - UH Mānoa School of Travel Industry Management alumni convened at Kahuku Farms on May 23 for the annual TIM International, Inc., general membership meeting. They enjoyed a lunch of fresh ingredients hand-picked right from the farm, which is co-owned by TIM alumna Kylie Matsuda’s family. A fourth-generation farmer, Matsuda ’02 is currently managing director and also serves on the TIMI board of directors.

Shanghai World Expo May 21 2010 by Roberta Wong Leung: Wonderful Japanese lunch with UH TIM Alumni Raymond Tong - Director of Major Projects - Greater China - Accor. "I can't believe it has been so long since you were a TIM Intern at Hotel Mark Hopkins San Francisco in 1974 when I was Personnel Manager there from 1972/1975. That was 36 yrs ago since we last met? Amazing, the TIM Connection. Keep me posted on the July 5 TIM dinner in Shanghai details and I will see if I can make it."

Shanghai World Expo May 21 2010 by Roberta Wong Leung: VIP tour of the Singapore Pavilion - Warm hospitality and excellent dinners at the Expo restaurants and Yushanghai Dinner Show by Jacquie Tan; It was a nice surprise to meet Richard Young who opened Regent HK Hotel w/me in 1980, have not seen him in 30yrs! He is now w/the New World Group in Shanghai. During my 6hrs wait at Shanghai Pudong airport, I managed to count the Pavilions I went to, the final count is 196 visited! Amazing - Expo is just fantastic.

Honolulu Hawaii USA, May 11, 2010: 2010 University of Hawaii Distinguished Alumni Award Winner - Mr. Wesley F Fong currently teaching law at the UH School of Travel Industry Management. Wesley Fong received a BA in political science from UH Manoa in 1965 and a JD from the University of Illinois School of Law in 1968. He is a graduate of the U. S. Army Judge Advocate General's School (1976), U. S. Army Command & General Staff College (1977) and U. S. Army War College (1985). He served as a supervising deputy attorney general for the State of Hawaii and a supervising deputy corporation counsel for the City of Honolulu, and retired after 26 years of public service in 1994. He then became staff counsel for Fireman's Fund Insurance. In 2003 he retired from the private practice.

Singapore May 11 2010 - Clyde and Hilda Min Met up with Karen Li in newly renovated Singapore Mandarin Hotel's famous Chatterbox for "Chicken Rice" and a lively discussion on General Managers and Lanson Residences and Boutique Hotels.

San Francisco California Sunday, May 2, 2010 - VIP Reception featuring Hong Kong Film Producer Peter Chan from 4:30pm - 6:00pm, at Restaurant 2223, 2223 Market Street, San Francisco & Screening of “Bodyguards and Assassins”, produced by Peter Chan, at 6:45 pm, at Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, San Francisco

More Pictures http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=165218&id=562941983&l=8ab29a92d6

Sonoma California May 1 2010 - Johnson & Carmen Choi Met with Ted and Cindy Sakai in Sonoma to catch up with businesses, UH TIM Alumni Shanghai get together July 4 - 10 and UH TIM School Updates

Burlingame California April 29 2010 - Johnson Choi Met with UH TIM Alumni Dennis Burton, General Manager of the Newly Renovated Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco to catch up with businesses and TIM School Updates

Singapore - April 27 2010: UH Board of Regent/Dean Emeritus Chuck Gee and Interim Dean Dr. Juanita Liu attended PATA conference and visit with UH TIM Alumni in Singapore - The following report is provided by UH TIM Alumni Clyde and Hilda Min (photo by Tony Chia and others)

UH TIM alumni members welcome Regent Gee and Interim Dean Liu at the Carlton Hotel on Wednesday, April 29th at a Chinese banquet. Accompanying Dr. Liu was her husband, retired physician Dr. Douglas Tom. Our host was the General Manager and fellow alumni, Richard Ong. Alumni who also attended included Clyde and Hilda Min, Mark Yuen, James Chew, Clara Tang, Anthony Wong (who also provided the wines for the evening), Diana Weibel, Jennifer Tan, Mark Seow, and Tony Chia.

Special industry guests and long-time friends of Regent Gee were Chee Chye and Millie Tan of Singapore World Express Travel.

Earlier that day Regent Gee and Interim Dean Liu met with the educational officers and faculty of the Institute of Technical Training, School of Business and Services at their Dover Street campus. An exchange of each schools programs were shared in presentations.

The following day, April 28th, they met over breakfast hosted by Yeo Li Pheow, Principal and CEO of Republic Polytechnic and Albert Toh, Director - School of Hospitality, Republic Polytechnic. They were presented with a new model for educational collaboration by Singapore to overseas educational hospitality programs.

A busy morning continued with a tour of the recently opened approximately US7.0 billion dollars integrated resort, Resort World Sentosa currently with 4 hotels and 2 more by end of this year, casino, entertainment theatre and convention center, entertainment and dining complex and Universal Studios. The tour was led by Noel Hawkes, Vice-President Operations, Resort World Sentosa.

Lunch was at alumni Anthony Wong's (2008 Alumni Hall of Fame award) newest addition of Creative Eateries, 19th restaurant and the 20th soon to come, featuring Taiwanese cuisine. Joining us was alumni Patrick Chia who also graduated in the 70's and currently providing industry consultancy after a long career with Singapore Airlines.

An important meeting with Singapore Tourism Board Capability Division officers challenged the School of Travel Industry Management to re-look existing hospitality curriculums and develop one with an Asian philosophy of hospitality management that attracts Western students as well as Asian students. Singapore and especially STB is always challenging the status quo and forward thinking like our own alumni Carrie Kwik, STB Director for Integrated Resorts, who set this meeting up for us.

Carrie then took us on a 2nd Grand Opening day tour of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the second integrated resort in Singapore of approximately US5.5 billion dollars. Marina Bay Sands has 2500 guestrooms in iconic building architecture with a large rooftop structure connecting all three towers that provides several swimming pools, entertainment venues, themed event space, and large rooftop garden with full grown mature trees shading a jogging path looking out to sea and the city of Singapore.

Dinner was hosted by alumni Tony Soh, Chief Corporate Officer for the Ascott Group, Ltd., largest global serviced residence owner-operator in Asia Pacific with over 19,500 units worldwide. The elegant Chinese dinner was held on the top floor of Capital Tower in The China Club.

On April 29th, Regent Gee and Interim Dean Liu met with Temasek Polytechnic educational officers to renew their long relationship, as Dr. Liu had been an external examiner for their Hospitality degree program students.

Their trip to Singapore was warmly received by the graduates who caught up with them, and many took to heart the call, made eloquently by Regent Gee for renewing and maintaining our school relationships in our professional lives. This only adds value to our TIM degrees.

We were also pleased with the many new opportunities for increased educational exchanges with Singapore hospitality and tourism programs that are mutually beneficial.

Special appreciation to Tony Chia who consistently and patiently rallies the Singapore alumni to attend our rare events together, and to Anthony Wong for his always generous spirit of venues and wines, and to Richard Ong who was the perfect "host" for our special guests to Singapore.

TO: ALL UH TIM Alumni & Friends
FR: Clyde Min, TIMI Board member
RE: Reception & Dinner for Regent Chuck Gee and Interim Dean Dr. Juanita Liu
Date: Tuesday, April 27th 2010 – The Carlton Hotel Singapore

Purpose of Deans’ Visit to Singapore:
(1) Reunite with TIM alumni to assure everyone that the school is alive and well, but there's a lot of hard work ahead for TIM to keep its autonomy and to rebuild its dwindling faculty base
(2) seek advice and guidance from alumni on Education & Training issues and priorities in SE region
(3) Meet informally with tourism & education leaders in Singapore on whatever level we may be able to connect and arrange
(4) Have a look at Singapore’s casino development

Arrival: Tuesday, April 27th from Kuching; Departure: Thursday, April 29th AM Flight (TBA)
1. Dr. Juanita Liu and husband – Interim Dean, School of Travel Industry Management, University of Hawaii
2. Regent Chuck Y. Gee – Sitting member of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents and Dean Emeritus UH TIM School

Accommodation at the Carlton Hotel Singapore, General Manager- Richard Ong, TIM Alumni

Reception and Dinner: Tuesday, April 27th
1. Cocktail Reception – 6:00PM-7:00PM; Venue: Carlton Hotel Singapore; No Host Cocktails
2. Dinner – 7:00PM onwards; Venue: Carlton Hotel Singapore - Wah Lok Restaurant, Private Room; Dinner Wines hosted by Anthony Wong, TIM Alumni
3. Individual payment (Deans are guests of Singapore Alumni) Total SGD 80.00 all inclusive

Please e-mail your intention to attend by April 23rd to: hildammin@yahoo.com

Additional information, please contact: Johnson Choi at (415) 963-1541 or 691-6138 (San Francisco USA); (808) 524-5738 (Hawaii USA), (852) 8171-3118 (Hong Kong SAR); Fax (808) 524-8063 or by email to johnsonchoi@johnsonchoi.com  or jwkc8168@yahoo.com

It is with deep regret and sorrow that we announce the passing away of Mr. Manuel Woo on April 27 2010 after a long illness. He was 81 years old. Mr. Woo was an old friend of the UH School of Travel Industry Management for more than 30 year. He was the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Hotels Association for 17 years from 1979 to 1996 and he will long be remembered for his valuable contributions to the work of the Association and the hotel industry in Hong Kong. An Organizing Committee that includes the Chairman and Executive Director of the Association will be making his funeral arrangements and an announcement of the details will be made in due course.  18 May 2010, Tuesday - The Memorial Service/Wake for Mr. Woo will be held from 4pm to 10pm; Evening Prayers at 7:30pm on the 1/F main hall of Hong Kong Funeral Home, 679 King's Road, North Point, Hong Kong. 19 May 2010, Wednesday - The funeral service will be held at 10am at Holy Trinity Cathedral, 135 Ma Tau Chung Road, Kowloon, followed by Cremation at Cape Collinson, after the ceremony. Please make donations in lieu of flowers for a Manuel Woo Memorial Educational Fund, under the Rudy Choy Educational Fund and donations should be made to “Equity Trust (HK) Ltd. as Trustee of The Rudy Choy Educational Fund”. The banking details of the Rudy Choy Educational Fund is as follows:

Bank Name: HSBC
Bank Address: 1 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong
Swift Code: HSBCHKHHHKH
Account Name: Equity Trust (HK) Ltd as Trustee of The Rudy Choy Educational Fund
Account No: 002-4-386492

Would donors please email / fax copy of the pay-in-slip to the following for record purpose; or for issuing of the donation receipt, from Rudy Choy Educational Fund, kindly indicate name for receipt to be issued, name / tel. no. / address of the donor.

Attn: Ms. Cherry Ho, Senior Manager, Equity Trust (HK) Limited
Direct Fax: 2213 2177
Email: cherry.ho@asia.equitytrust.com

Thank you very much for your attention.

Yours sincerely,
JAMES LU
Executive Director
Hong Kong Hotel Association

OBITUARY: The debonair hotelier who always went the extra mile to help (Manuel Rosas Woo 1929-2010)  Hong Kong lost a passionate driving force behind the hotel and travel industry with the death of Manuel Woo. The Philippine-born hotelier was the longest serving executive director of the Hong Kong Hotels Association from 1979 to 1996. He once said: "Our hallmark is quality and the city does not win its reputation easily". For years, he spared no effort to nurture the next generation of the industry, emphasising training and education. The 81-year-old hotelier died of heart failure on April 27. The eldest of eight brothers and sisters, Woo migrated with his family from Zamboanga City to Hong Kong in 1935. He was a merchant seaman in his early twenties before entering the hotel scene. His diligence won him association scholarships to study at both the East-West Centre of the University of Hawaii and at a Cornell University program. He quickly became part of senior management at various hotel chains such as the Dusit Thani in Bangkok, the Shangri-La in Singapore and the Miramar in Honolulu. The global network he cultivated contributed to the growth of the hotel and tourism industry in Hong Kong and later created many career and business opportunities in the industry. When he took over the Hotels Association post in 1979, Hong Kong welcomed 2.2 million visitors and had 46 hotels with 14,363 rooms. By 1996, the year he stepped down as executive director, the number of visitors had hit 11.7 million and the city's inventory boasted 88 hotels with 31,667 rooms. According to hotel consultant Rudolf Greiner, who worked with Woo over two decades, Woo's natural-born professional manner brought Chinese and foreign hoteliers together. "In the mid-1980s during my HKHA chairmanship, he was the driving force behind the decision to bring the first mainland students to Hong Kong in groups of around 25. The students, totalling over 200, were placed in our four and five-star hotels for six-month tailored on-the-job training. He foresaw the need to share the same high Hong Kong standards with our friends in the PRC and many of these students are today senior hotel executives in the PRC. "He was not only a good friend - he was a general among men. Always on call, he was known for his dedication and commitment to the development of strong education and vocational training programmes. For years, he worked closely with and in support of the polytechnic and numerous other hospitality institutes and vocational training centres. Hotels Association executive director James Lu Shien-hwai succeeded Woo after having been his deputy for 12 months. "Manny always had an answer or solution to a problem and if he didn't have one, he would have someone who could provide the answer through his wide and strong network of friends and business associates. "Manny looked after his friends and was always prepared to go the extra mile for them. In protecting the interests of the association and working on matters of principle, he was firm and uncompromising. He was deeply passionate about the association and the hotel industry in Hong Kong." A long-time friend, former Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong general manager and Hotels Association chairman Andreas Hofer, said: "A vacancy for the position of executive director of the HKHA became available in 1978 and as chairman, I was able to convince Manuel to join from the Miramar hotel. He was an excellent communicator and his appointment was a resounding success in all the years that he held the post." The Polytechnic University's School of Hotel and Tourism Management had a long association with Woo who served as a chairman of an advisory committee for the school from 1986 to 1994. The debonair hotelier also established the Manuel Woo Scholarship to encourage academic and personal excellence among the school's students. He was also instrumental in establishing the Andreas Hofer Scholarship for outstanding students. School director Professor Kaye Chon said: "Woo made remarkable contributions to the hotel industry as well as to the development of hospitality and tourism education in Hong Kong." Woo is survived by two sons, Edmund and Raymond.

Honolulu Hawaii USA - April 13 2010: Hawaii State Senate confirmation hearing to the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, Gubernatorial Nominee, CHUCK Y. GEE (Dean Emeritus of UH School of Travel Industry Management and Founding Members/Director of Hong Kong.China.Hawaii Chamber of Commerce), for a term to expire 6-30-2015. Share

Hawaii State Legislature 2010 Regular Session - GM378

GM378 Testimony Hearing (Dean Emeritus Chuck Gee) 04-13-10 Testimony http://www.hkchcc.org/gm378chuckgee041310.pdf

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/lists/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=GM&billnumber=378

Measure Title (GM378): Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, Gubernatorial Nominee, CHUCK Y. GEE, for a term to expire 6-30-2015.

Report Title: Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii

Current Referral: HRE
Introducer(s):        Submitted for consideration by Governor Linda Lingle (from the list provided by BOR selection committee)
Date         Status   Text
3/22/2010   S         Received.
3/23/2010   S         Referred to HRE.
4/6/2010     S         The committee(s) on HRE has scheduled a public hearing on 04-13-10 1:15PM in conference room 329.
4/13/2010   S         The committee on HRE deferred the measure.
4/16/2010   S         The committee(s) on HRE will hold a public decision making on 04-19-10 1:15PM in conference room 329.
4/19/2010   S         The recommendation of the committee(s) on HRE is to ADVISE AND CONSENT to the nomination(s). The votes in HRE were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Tokuda, Baker, Kokubun, Takamine, Slom; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Sakamoto, Taniguchi.

S = Senate
H = House
D = Data Systems
$ = Appropriation measure
ConAm = Constitutional Amendment

This report was generated on Apr 20, 2010 at 4:43:50 AM

Video 1/2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYMHQBHR3As

Video 2/2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK7UFtF7BNk

Honolulu Hawaii March 28 2010 - UH TIM Alumni 1977 - Johnson Choi (Hawaii), John Kim (Florida), Kelsey Higa (Hawaii) and Dean Emeritus Chuck Gee met to catch up with old time and new.

February 13 2010 San Francisco California USA - UH TIM Alumni Chinese New Year eve party to welcome the Year of the Tiger at the Asian Pearl Peninsula Chinese Restaurant

More pictures on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=130592&id=562941983

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) Signed Training Agreement with UH TIM School

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) Signed Training Agreement with UH TIM School - such agreement would not have been possible if UH TIM is not an autonomy school as search was done in North America and Asia before UH TIM School is selected, for complete story http://www.facebook.com/johnsonwkchoi?v=app_2347471856

February 9, 2010 2:30pm - Conference Room 309, State Capitol, 415 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 - UH TIM Student and Alumni Testified to Support UH TIM School Autonomy.

As one of the retired executive of the Starwood hotels who after retirement expand a Japanese Hotel chain from 3 to 40 in SUPPORT of UH TIM School Autonomy so well put it during his testimony "You do NOT merge the Starwood Hotels into the Hilton Chain to save cost (i.e. eliminate the Sr. VP Position of Starwood Hawaii) because they have different culture and cater to different clienteles..........".

The students, industry people and alumni were not consulted when UH administration decided to take steps to "terminate" UH TIM School and move it into college of business.

During the legislative hearing, the chair of the UH Board of Regent was informed that while the legislators do not want to interfere with UH operation, the legislative branch has the oversight power to ensure the public interest is being served. They have informed Howard Karr - Chair of UH Board of Regent and Virgina Hanshaw - UH Manoa Chancellor that based on the testimony provided that UH TIM Students, Other Stakeholders (other hotels and UH TIM Alumni) were not included in the decision process.

HB2315 HD1 is being deferred. What does it mean? We have discussed it with the legislators after the hearing. They told us if UH Administration does not accept the recommendation of the legislators (see above), they will recall HB 2315 HD1 and follow through with the UH TIM School Autonomy as the State interest override the interest of UH.

Based on the testimony provided - these people do NOT support TIM School Autonomy and/or wanting to merge TIM into CBA in an effort to destroy TIM Brand overnight which took us more than 40 years to build. Their assertion that CBA degree is better for TIM Students is disputed by the 400 students currently attending the program. Through the testimony we also found out through real experience a CBA degree is having difficult time obtaining a job in the hospitality industry.

Keith Vierra - Senior Vice President and Director of Operations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Hawai‘i and French Polynesia (Frits van Paasschen - President and Chief Executive Officer, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. /  Matthew E. Avril - President - Hotel Group / Denise M. Coll - President - North America Division c/o Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc., 1111 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NY 10604. Phone (914) 640-8100, Fax (914) 640-8310)
Howard H. Karr - Chair, UH Board of Regent
Virginia Hinshaw, UH Manoa Chancellor
Linda Johnsrud, UH VP for Academic Planning and Policy

Based on the testimony provided these are the people support UH TIM School Autonomy (please keep in mind the State of Hawaii and our current/future TIM students are the biggest losers if we merge TIM School into CBA).

Marsha Wienert, Tourism Liaison, Office of the Governor, State of Hawaii
John Brogan, Retired Vice-President, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts
David Kong, President and CEO of Best Western International, 2010 AH&LA chairman
Raymond K Tong, VP Development, Accor Hospitality, 4000 hotels 500,000 rooms 5 continents 90 countries
Long Ngan, Senior Development Manager - Greater China, Accor Hospitality
Marco Chan, V2 Leadership Group Inc
Fredrick M Collison, PhD, Professor Emeritus of UH School of Travel Industry Management
Knorad Talon, UH TIM Student
Agnes Kwok-Yates, LTD Trading Corp
Karin Li, Executive Director, Lanson Place Hospitality Management Ltd
Gregory Tong, Retired Acchitect & Chairman Emeritus, Wimberly Allison Tong and Goo
Robert W Zoller, Former President and COO, Hawaiian Airlines
Clyde Min, Asset Manager, Pacifica-Partners Private Limited
Tsuyoshi Sakata, President and CEO, TSC Consultant Group
Clifford J Reynold, Managing Director, Silver Saddle Ranch & Club
TIM International Inc - alumni association of UH School of TIM, representing more than 3,000 TIM Alumni worldwide
Chamber of Commerce Hawaii - representing more than 2,000 businesses in Hawaii
Hong Kong.China.Hawaii Chamber of Commerce - 380 members, 15 Collaboration Partners with 20,000 members worldwide
Johnson Choi, Past President, Director and International Chairman of UH TIM Alumni working with UH TIM School, Students, Deans and Professors since 1985
Victor Kobayashi, Professor Emeritus, Former Dean of Outreach College, University of Hawaii and President of the Faculty Retirees Association of the University of Hawaii
Kevin Iwamoto, Vice President, Enterprise Strategy, StarCite Inc
Cathy Wang, VP of Product Development, ASI Corp
Peter W Cannon, President, Hawaiian Resources Co Ltd
Holden Lim, President, Hospitality Link
Kasumi Hashimoto, Shangri-la Hotel Tokyo
Tomoko Yagi, Shangri-la Hotel Tokyo
Dean Le-Hoc Ha, Ph.D, Prof. of Hospitality Management & Tourism Studies at the HCMC-Saigon University of Economics, Vietnam
Ingrid Kuo, Owner, Cheers Wedding - a wedding consultant company
Ji-li Jiang, Children Book Author and Speaker
Pok Kung, Guest Service Agent Supervisor, The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Roberta Wong, Professor Emeritus, City University Hong Kong
Carmen Choi, Director of Accounting, Standard Fiber
Catherine Anderson, UH TIM Graduate
Chris Cone, UH TIM Graduate
Uta Guenther, UH TIM Student
Ryan Kobashigawa, UH TIM Student
Jasmine Nip, UH TIM Student
Hitomi Ozaki, UH TIM Student
Melissa Roy, UH TIM Student
Nino Nicole Santos, UH TIM Student
Merrian Torres, UH TIM Alumni
Daniel Pak, UH TIM Student

Tourism school should be separate

As a 30-year travel industry executive, including a tenure as president and COO of Hawaiian Airlines and a former Travel Industry Management School advisory board member, I am deeply concerned about the loss of the TIM School's independence.

As someone who strongly believes in the need for a premier travel industry school in Hawai'i, I find it extremely disturbing that your editorial staff and the relatively new university administration appear to be rushing to judgment over the future of TIM.

TIM has not only remained a relevant part of the university, the Hawaiian community and the worldwide travel industry, it has actually excelled. Year after year, TIM, its students and faculty are the recipients of numerous academic and industry awards and certifications.

Through those achievements and its innovative programs, TIM has long held a leadership position in the global travel and tourism industry. Its graduates, students and faculty have not only served as a unique resource in Hawai'i, but are often at the forefront for identifying, addressing and providing innovative solutions for a variety of travel industry issues.

TIM needs to be strengthened, not subjected to the bureaucratic ways of the business school, serving so many different academic disciplines.

It is my opinion that a merger as contemplated will diminish the TIM mission and organization, lay aside the almost 50-year history of academic and individual accomplishments, tarnish a hard-earned world-class reputation and quickly lead to the marginalization of what should be the leading travel industry and tourism education and knowledge-creation program in Hawai'i and the Asia-Pacific region.

Robert W. Zoller, Honolulu, Hawaii USA

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102140316

Robert W. Zoller has a distinguished and successful passenger, cargo and military aviation career with more than 30 years experience, highlighted by executive and Board of Director positions of increasing scope and responsibility. Mr. Zoller's management and consulting work includes service with: American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Airtran Airways, USAIR, Saudi Arabian Airlines, other airlines and logistics companies, government regulatory authorities and numerous transportation industry organizations.

Mr. Zoller is currently President and Managing Partner for International Management Decisions (IMD) providing Middle East, Asia and U.S.-based investors and Boards of Director strategy and management services. Zoller has earned Master of International Business Administration (MIBA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS, Economics and Business Administration) degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, MD.

Monday February 22 2010 - Honolulu Advertiser Newspaper Editorial

TIM School needs independence to succeed - With no cost savings identified, merger doesn't make sense By Juanita Liu

The bills in the Legislature that would ensure an independent School of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawai'i are supported by a wide representation of hundreds of students and alumni, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, a number of key industry and business executives, and the governor's tourism liaison. While House Bill 2315 was deferred, the debate is widening.

University administrators testified that they are considering merging all schools with fewer than 30 faculty. This includes the schools of law, architecture, social work, Hawaiian knowledge, Asia Pacific studies, as well as the TIM School. It is questionable if any meaningful savings would be achieved by merging these schools with larger units.

Academic mergers are difficult and costly because of different accrediting bodies, specialized curricula, program requirements and nomenclature of degrees. When asked what savings would result from merging TIM with the Shidler College of Business, the answer was that the assistant dean position would be eliminated.

This would not save any money since the position is already vacant. Instead, payroll would need to be increased substantially to put TIM faculty on par with Shidler's high salary scale.

The TIM School is in the enviable position of having achieved a world-class name brand and a solid student base. It makes little sense to submerge a highly efficient unit that produces successful alumni without any clear benefits.

Cost cutting in the private sector usually involves reducing and consolidating corporate administrative overhead and positions. To merge the providers of direct services such as the schools and colleges at UH-Mānoa risks losing services, customers and revenues. A survey of graduating students indicates that 80 percent oppose the merger and 70 percent said they would have gone elsewhere if TIM were under the business school, which is at capacity.

It would also be a great loss to the people of Hawai'i and future generations to diminish the instructional mission of any of these professional schools that have served Hawai'i residents so well in providing credible alternatives to an expensive Mainland education.

With the wisdom and support from previous UH administrators and government leaders, these programs at the UH have brought professional degrees within the reach of many local residents, built up our local communities and enabled us to compete abroad.

While we are debating the issue, countries in Asia and around the world are investing millions into stand-alone tourism schools and colleges in the field and fast-tracking programs to prepare its citizens for the largest industry in the world.

Legislation supporting a specific program like HB 2315 and SB 2186 has rarely surfaced since the passing of the UH Autonomy Amendment in 2000.

However, Article 10.6 of the Hawai'i State Constitution grants the Legislature the exclusive jurisdiction to identify laws of statewide concern, which may be warranted when the land grant mission of the university in supporting Hawai'i's economy is jeopardized once again by the threat of submerging the school that supports the largest industry in the state.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100222/OPINION03/2220301/

Juanita Liu is interim dean of the TIM School. She wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.

Monday February 22 2010 - Honolulu Advertiser Newspaper - Letter to the Editor

TIM School - Autonomy needed for best efficiency

I am a proud 1977 graduate of the University of Hawai'i School of Travel Industry Management and I am a past president, director, treasurer and international chairman of its alumni association, keeping me in close contact with more than 1,000 alumni.

The autonomy of the school enables it to be one of the most efficient of the schools and colleges that comprise the University of Hawai'i-Manoa. Such autonomy also enables the school to remain competitive with its peer institutions in both the nation and around the world.

The TIM School is one of the best-known brands of the UH system. It has provided quality education, not only for residents, but also students paying higher out-of-state tuition. As such, it is one of the most cost-effective programs.

The TIM School has served the state's largest industry well for a half-century, especially under the leadership of Chuck Gee from the 1970s to 2000. He helped shape Hawai'i's travel industry policies in development, marketing and human resources development.

I strongly endorse keeping the TIM School autonomous.

Johnson W. K. Choi
Honolulu, Hawaii USA

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100222/OPINION02/2220305/1108

Testimony submitted for HB 2315 for testimony on Feb 1 2010 http://www.b2bchinadirect.com/uhtimautonomy020110a.pdf
Testimony submitted for HB 2315 for testimony on Feb 1 2010 http://www.b2bchinadirect.com/uhtimautonomy020110b.pdf
Testimony submitted for HB 2315 for testimony on Feb 9 2010 http://www.b2bchinadirect.com/uhtimautonomy020910.pdf

A big Mahalo for testifying in person.......

NOTICE OF HEARING (please be advise this is being moved to Higher Education Committee)

DATE: Tuesday, February 9, 2010
TIME: 2:30 p.m.
PLACE: Conference Room 309, State Capitol, 415 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

HB 2315, HD1 (HSCR143-10) RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SCHOOL OF TRAVEL INDUSTRY MANAGEMENT.

Statutorily establishes a School of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawaii (UH) at Manoa that is separate and independent of any school or college of business administration established at UH. Effective January 1, 2112.

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/hearingnotices/HEARING_HED_02-09-10_.HTM

(HB 2315, HD1) http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/Bills/HB2315_HD1_.pdf
(HSCR143-10) http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/CommReports/HB2315_HD1_HSCR143-10_.pdf
Status: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/lists/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2315

Header for Testimony (you can cut and paste the following on your personal or company letterhead, be sure to replace [    ] information with your own information)

Testimony to the COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, CULTURE, & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Tuesday, February 9 2010; 2:30pm.
Conference Room 309

HOUSE BILL 2315 HD1 RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SCHOOL OF TRAVEL INDUSTRY MANAGEMENT.

Chair Chang, Vice Chair Nakashima and Members of the Higher Education Committee:

My name is [FULL NAME] and my company is [NAME AND DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY INCLUDING # OF EMPLOYEES]. I appreciate the efforts made by the chair and the committee in addressing autonomy of the School of Travel Industry Management. I support HB 2315 to establishes a school of travel industry management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa that is separate and independent of any school or college of business administration established by the university.

I am writing in support of the school of travel industry management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa remain autonomous from the Schidler college of business administration. The autonomy of the school of travel industry management enables it to be the most efficient of the schools and colleges that comprise the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Such autonomy also enables the school to remain competitive with its peer institutions in both the nation and around the world.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony. If you have any questions, please contact me at [FULL CONTACT INFORMATION].

DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW

Persons wishing to offer comments should submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing with a transmittal cover indicating:

· Testifier's name with position/title and organization;
· The Committee the comments are directed to;
· The date and time of the hearing;
· Measure number; and
· The number of copies the Committee is requesting.

While every effort will be made to copy, organize, and collate all testimony received, materials received on the day of the hearing or improperly identified or directed to the incorrect office, may be distributed to the Committee after the hearing.

Submit testimony in ONE of the following ways:

PAPER: 1 original document to Room 319 in the State Capitol;

FAX: For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to 586-6121 (for Oahu) or 1-800-535-3859 (for Neighbor Islanders without a computer to submit testimony through e-mail or the Web);

EMAIL: For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to HEDtestimony@Capitol.hawaii.gov; or

WEB: For comments less than 4MB in size, transmit from the Web page at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/emailtestimony. 

Testimony submitted will be placed on the Legislative Web site after the hearing adjourns. This public posting of testimony on the Web site should be considered when including personal information in your testimony.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the House public hearing process (i.e., sign or foreign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at 586-6120 or email your request for an interpreter to HouseInterpreter@Capitol.hawaii.gov at least 24 hours prior to the hearing for arrangements. Prompt requests submitted help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.

Selected meetings are broadcast live. Check the current legislative broadcast schedule on the "Capitol TV" Web site at www.capitoltv.org OR call 550-8074.

Feb 1 2010

HB 2315 Autonomy of the School of Travel Industry Management has passed

All testimony are in support of the "Autonomy of the School of TIM" except one executive from the Starwood Hotel and one executive from UH.

We have win the first round, but stay tune as it will/may move to the next committee requiring more testimony.

Majority of the UH TIM Students have already indicated that they selected UH TIM School because of its autonomy and NOT part of College of Business.

UH TIM merging into College of Business will destroy the School.

Please get your computer, fax and email fire up...it is not over yet!

Please book mark this link http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/house/comm/commTCI.asp

Please book mark status of House Bill HB2315 http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/getstatus.asp?query=hb2315&currpage=1&showstatus=on&showtext=on&showcommrpt=on&showtestimony=on

Please book mark this page that House Committee recommending passing http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/lists/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2315

Please book mark this page for the submitted testimony in PDF format http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/Testimony/HB2315_TESTIMONY_TCI_02-01-10_.pdf
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/Testimony/HB2315_TESTIMONY_TCI_02-01-10_LATE_.pdf

Testimony Requested TODAY Jan 29th - Autonomy of the School of Travel Industry Management

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/hearingnotices/HEARING_TCI_02-01-10_.HTM

The hearing on the bill is on Monday Feb. 1, 2010.

Hearing notice on HB 2315 re TIM autonomy. If anyone is interested in submitting testimony, they can follow the instructions and submit it 24 hours prior by paper, fax, email, or web. The easiest is by web. Testimonies should be kept on file, since it will have to go to other committees if it passes the first one.

Header for Testimony (you can cut and paste the following on your personal or company letterhead, be sure to replace [    ] information with your own information)

Testimony to the COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, CULTURE, & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Monday, February 1 2010; 8:45 a.m.
Conference Room 312

HOUSE BILL 2315 RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SCHOOL OF TRAVEL INDUSTRY MANAGEMENT.

Chair Manahan, Vice Chair Tokioka and Members of the Committee:

My name is [FULL NAME] and my company is [NAME AND DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY INCLUDING # OF EMPLOYEES]. I appreciate the efforts made by the chair and the committee in addressing autonomy of the School of Travel Industry Management. I support HB 2315 to establishes a school of travel industry management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa that is separate and independent of any school or college of business administration established by the university.

I am writing in support of the school of travel industry management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa remain autonomous from the Schidler college of business administration. The autonomy of the school of travel industry management enables it to be the most efficient of the schools and colleges that comprise the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Such autonomy also enables the school to remain competitive with its peer institutions in both the nation and around the world.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony. If you have any questions, please contact me at [FULL CONTACT INFORMATION].

DIRECTIONS ON SUBMITTING TESTIMONY

Here is a link to the hearing notice for yesterday’s HB2315 hearing before the House’s “Tourism, Culture, and International Affairs” committee: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/hearingnotices/HEARING_TCI_02-01-10_.HTM. 

From that notice, here are the instructions that appear at the bottom of the page:

Persons wishing to offer comments should submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing with a transmittal cover indicating:

· Testifier's name with position/title and organization;
· The Committee the comments are directed to;
· The date and time of the hearing;
· Measure number; and
· The number of copies the Committee is requesting.

While every effort will be made to copy, organize, and collate all testimony received, materials received on the day of the hearing or improperly identified or directed to the incorrect office, may be distributed to the Committee after the hearing.

Submit testimony in ONLY ONE of the following ways:

PAPER: 3 copies (including an original) to Room 322 in the State Capitol;

FAX: For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to 586-6271(for Oahu) or 1-800-535-3859 (for Neighbor Islanders without a computer to submit testimony through e-mail or the Web);

EMAIL: For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to TCItestimony@Capitol.hawaii.gov; or

WEB: For comments less than 4MB in size, transmit from the Web page at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/emailtestimony. 

The hearing notices themselves are always the best resource to use when submitting testimony. They will give specific instructions, as this example shows, regarding the process for sending your comments to various committees.

If you’re ever in doubt about the correct addresses, you can go to the legislature’s website at www.capitol.hawaii.gov and choose “bill status and documents” then look in the 2nd box on that page – “2010 regular session hearing notices” – and click on the link to “get current hearing notices” to get to your specific bill’s instructions. If a measure isn’t yet scheduled, it won’t appear there. If it is scheduled, you can click on the date/time hyperlink for that bill (or resolution), to go directly to the hearing notices. The instructions are always at the bottom of the notice.

Meanwhile, your input is very important, and I would encourage you to submit your testimony to TCItestimon@Capitol.hawaii.gov anyway, so it can become part of the record for this measure.

Here’s another bit of information that might be really useful for you: To keep track of any specific measure, go to that “bill status and documents” page and put your bill/resolution number in the first box, the one for reading status, text, and committee reports. Enter the measure number with no spaces – HB2315 for instance – and press the ‘go’ key. That will take you to the status sheet – the history of that bill – where you can see everything that’s happened to it so far. Click on the big fat bill number at the top of the page to read the most current version, and click on “show hearing notices” to access any and all hearing notices that have been generated regarding your bill, where you’ll find those useful testimony-submittal instructions.

AND

3. Fax a copy to (808) 524-8063 or email it to jwkc8168@yahoo.com for our file

Try to submit testimony 24 hours prior to the hearing. This allows the chair and committee members enough time to thoroughly review the testimonies. HOWEVER, if you are unable to submit testimony by this deadline, please proceed to submit. It will still be considered.

DIRECTIONS ON ORAL TESTIMONY

The following provides some information for those attending the hearing:

* A two-minute oral testimony limit will probably take place.
* You are not required to stay for the entire hearing and may leave after you provide testimony. The order of testifiers is based on the order the committee receives written testimonies.
* Metered parking is available at the Capitol. Discounted parking is available at Alii Place on Alakea or at any downtown municipal parking lots.
* Tell your “story” however, please be courteous and professional.

If possible, please e-mail me a copy to jwkc8168@yahoo.com of your testimony and let me know if you plan to attend the hearing. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 808-524-5738. Thank you for your time and support. Together we can make a difference.

Honolulu Hawaii Nov 13, 2009 http://www.starbulletin.com/editorials/20091113_Keep_UH_TIM_School_separate.html

Keep UH TIM School separate By Juanita Liu

Once again, a proposed merger between the University of Hawaii's School of Travel Industry Management (TIM) and Shidler College of Business is in the news. Ten years ago the matter was thoroughly examined and rejected because it would not serve the needs of the university and the state. The reasons still hold.

More than 50 students met with Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw last month to strongly oppose the merger. They value the relevant TIM curriculum, knowledgeable faculty, personalized student services, internships and the competitive advantage of the TIM Bachelor of Science degree. They believe that a merger will diminish the relevance of their education and the value of their degree. Many stated that they would not have even chosen UH if TIM were under Shidler because of the different requirements.

Shidler students also are concerned, since many classes were cut and the rest are full. TIM students collected more than a dozen letters and 265 signatures against the merger.

The students wanted to know why this merger is being proposed when the TIM School is the most efficient unit on campus. It has the smallest budget and lowest instructional costs and the third-highest tuition revenues per student after medicine and law. It is the only unit on campus that earns more net tuition than is spent on its operational costs.

Two decades ago TIM lost half of its students when it was part of the College of Business, which switched to a two-year program. After separating in 1991, TIM restored its four-year program and recruited students through the smooth transfer from the community colleges and feeder Academies of Hospitality and Tourism in six high schools on three islands. Thus, TIM enrollments have more than doubled to 450 students with 130 graduates in 2008 — a 60 percent increase from 2003. Graduates in TIM normally enjoy 100 percent job placement.

The TIM faculty streamlined the curriculum by eliminating duplication in the basic business core, using its own specialized textbooks and faculty. A merger with Shidler would mean adopting the same core subjects at the expense of courses in service-based industries and other pertinent courses critical for tourism management. Rather than saving money, merging TIM would be costly since more resources would be needed to comply with additional accreditation and administration. For instance, about $750,000 would be needed to put TIM faculty on par with Shidler's high-salary scale.

The TIM School enjoys a strong international reputation. Eduardo Fayos-Sola, executive secretary of the Education and Science Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organizatio