The ex-budget director
was rejected by the Senate
from his previous job

By Mike Yuen
Star-Bulletin

Gov. Ben Cayetano today named his new attorney general -- Earl Anzai, whom the Senate refused to reconfirm as state budget director.

Anzai's new appointment, effective immediately, is subject to Senate confirmation, which could come as early as next month if the Legislature holds special session.

Shortly after the Senate's rejection of Anzai on a 15-10 vote in late April, Anzai has been an executive assistant to Cayetano on budgetary matters.

Cayetano had to name a new attorney general because the Senate rejected Margery Bronster for a second four-year term as the state's chief law enforcement officer.

Cayetano decided on Anzai, one of Cayetano's closest political allies, this weekend, selecting him from a list of four finalists, which included acting Attorney General Rick Keller.

"The position of attorney general requires courage, integrity and a keen understanding of the legal issues which face our state," Cayetano said in a statement. "Earl Anzai has these qualities. I trust his judgment and his ability to lead the largest law firm in the state.

"His legal experience in civil litigation combined with his knowledge in running a department are great assets. More importantly, his integrity is impeccable."

Anzai received his law degree in 1981 from the University of Hawaii's law school. He also received his bachelor's and master's degrees in economics fromUH.

He also attended Emory University and Oregon State University.

Anzai was an attorney in private practice from 1988 to 1994; his practice focused on civil litigation with an emphasis on personal injury and commercial litigation.

Anzai was also the chief investigator and attorney for the special Senate investigative committee that Cayetano, then a state senator, headed in 1982 that uncovered mismanagement during the state's heptachlor crisis.

EARL ANZAI AT A GLANCE: BORN: October 4, 1941 LAW SCHOOL: William Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii PAST POSITIONS: former state Budget director, private attorney PERSONAL: Married to attorney Lyn Anzai

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