The move is designed to increase the office's ability to quickly decide on requests for public information, according to Moya Davenport Gray, the state director of information practices.

This summer more than 160 requests were waiting to be processed by the office.

The problem was compounded because the office lost three of its four attorneys.

"Bringing the office up to full staffing reflects our commitment to openness, honesty and accountability in state government," Gov. Ben Cayetano said.

"This will allow the Office of Information Practices to catch up on the backlog which developed under the old office."

The new attorneys first will finish work on opinions that were being researched by the erstwhile legal staff.

Davenport Gray said the new attorneys, and the new administrative rules now being drafted, should speed up work in the office.

"In the future, the public's request for records and information can be addressed more promptly because the implementation of new administrative rules will eliminate the constant demand for opinions that resulted in the backlog of work in this office under the previous director," she said.

The new attorneys are:

Jennifer M. L. Chock, former clerk for retired Intermediate Court of Appeals Judge Walter Heen, and a private attorney.

Carlotta M. Dias, former member of the public defender's office and the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Randall Port, who worked in Washington, D.C., and Hawaii. He served as an attorney and researcher for state Rep. Ron Menor during the last legislative session.