Toguchi takes
position as liaison
for Cayetano

By Mike Yuen
Star-Bulletin

Charles Toguchi, Gov. Ben Cayetano's former chief of staff and senior campaign adviser, is now working for Cayetano as a special legislative liaison to help shepherd key administration initiatives through this year's legislative session.

Although he has yet to sign a contract, Toguchi, 57, said he began his new troubleshooting role Jan. 15. The job will run through May 15, ending 11 days after the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn.

Sam Callejo, who succeeded Toguchi as Cayetano's chief of staff, said Toguchi will be paid $6,000 a month for four months.

"I don't care so much about the dollars," Toguchi said. "I just want to help out."

Another key figure from Cayetano's re-election staff, campaign co-chairwoman Ann Kobayashi, said she is working as an administration volunteer, concentrating on cultural and women's issues.

Toguchi said: "Right now, I'm spending a lot of time with (state personnel Director) Mike McCartney. We're working on civil service reform. That's a major priority for the governor."

Toguchi also is concentrating on Cayetano's "New Century Schools" initiative, which would grant public schools much autonomy, such as control and conceptualization of their own curricula, and the freedom to negotiate their own collective bargaining contracts or not have collective bargaining at all.

Toguchi said he's been meeting with the Hawaii State Teachers Association and other unions to discuss the proposal, which would be launched first as a pilot program at Kapolei Middle School and Kapolei High School, both of which have not yet opened.

Cayetano has told department heads "if they need help with any legislation, they can get Charlie involved," Toguchi added.

Toguchi, one of Cayetano's closest political allies, said it was Cayetano's idea that he rejoin the administration temporarily as a legislative liaison. "It was just a spur of the moment kind of thing," Toguchi said.

Toguchi, who was a state representative and senator for 10 years, has also been a familiar sight at the Legislature during the seven years he was superintendent of the statewide public-school system, testifying on education-related bills. He was also HSTA's legislative director for three years.