Aizawa’s new job gets
governor’s criticism

Former schools chief's move
will be examined by
the board today

By Mike Yuen
Star-Bulletin

Gov. Ben Cayetano says it was "wrong" for former state schools Superintendent Herman Aizawa to essentially appoint himself principal of an adult education program and retain his higher salary.

"It was legal, but it was borderline ethics, I think," Cayetano said yesterday.

The manner in which Aizawa -- who keeps his $90,041 superintendent's salary -- was selected erodes trust in public institutions and officials, Cayetano added.

Cayetano's remarks came as a curtain raiser to the Board of Education's special meeting this afternoon to examine Aizawa's appointment as principal of McKinley Community School for Adults.

Late last month, before his resignation as superintendent became effective, Aizawa appointed Don Nugent, assistant superintendent of personnel services, as acting schools chief while Aizawa was in Los Angeles to attend a national educational awards ceremony.

With his new authority, the now-retired Nugent appointed Aizawa to the adult education post.

What happened, Cayetano asserted, would be like him naming Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono acting governor while he was out of state and having her appoint him to the U.S. Senate if one of Hawaii's Democratic incumbents were to step down.

He would not be involved in such scenarios, Cayetano said.

"And I think that's something most people would not do," he added. "And I think maybe in retrospect Herman is going to regret it.

"I thought he was a good superintendent who did his best. He worked hard. Basically, he's an honest person. This is not the way for him to start a new career."

Efforts to reach Aizawa yesterday were unsuccessful. Nugent has an unlisted telephone number.

Board of Education Chairwoman Karen Knudsen said she believes Cayetano's remarks mirror the public's concerns.

"Anything that looks like preferential treatment concerns me," she said.

Knudsen is less concerned with Aizawa's salary. Normally, he would receive about $10,000 less in his new post, Knudsen said. But his contract allowed him to retain the superintendent's salary for a year if he stepped into a departmental job.

"It just goes to show how underpaid our superintendents are," Knudsen said.

Since Aizawa apparently is the first superintendent to return to the public school system, his situation illustrates the need to clarify or change regulations "so this awkward situation doesn't happen again," Knudsen said.

"Personally, I think this could have been handled a little better," she added.