Yoshioka leaving
Health Dept. to be
aide to Hirono

Paula Yoshioka, the state Health Department's deputy director for administration, becomes Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono's chief of staff on Saturday.

Yoshioka is replacing Marian Tsuji, who is joining the Department of Public Safety as its deputy director in charge of prisons.

In addition to running Hirono's office, Yoshioka will be providing staff support for Hirono's effort to streamline government. Gov. Ben Cayetano has instructed Hirono to reduce administrative rules by 40 percent.

Yoshioka, a graduate of California State University at Sacramento, has held a number of positions in the Health Department. She also spent more than 10 years working for California's social services, mental health, forestry and finance departments.