Governor fills 2 more posts,
awaits decision on Anzai

By Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin

Gov. Ben Cayetano ends the year with two major appointments and his fingers crossed that a third nominee will win approval in the state Senate.

Cayetano yesterday named veteran Ewa Beach Neighborhood Board member Willie Espero to fill the unexpired term of Democratic state Rep. Paul Oshiro, who resigned to become a lobbyist.

Espero is now general manager of the Ewa by Gentry Community Association and has represented the Ewa Beach community in a private capacity for more than a decade.

He has received tremendous grass-roots support, the governor said.

In 1992, Espero -- while serving as executive secretary to the city's neighborhood commission -- ran unsuccessfully for the state Senate as a Republican. Espero said yesterday he switched parties after the loss.

Describing himself as "nervous and excited" about his new position in the state Legislature, Espero cited increased help in transportation and improved educational facilities as two critical items for his Ewa district.

Espero said that after completing the remaining portion of Oshiro's term, he will run for the House seat next year.

The governor also named Edward "Butch" Correa as the new adjutant general for the state Department of Defense. He succeeds Edward V. Richardson, who is retiring.

Correa is a brigadier general and commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard. The promotion puts him in charge of the state's National Guard and civil defense operations.

Meanwhile, Cayetano is hoping the Senate will approve his controversial appointment of Earl Anzai as state attorney general.

Earlier this year, the Senate rejected Anzai as state budget director. It also refused to reconfirm Margery Bronster as attorney general, prompting Cayetano to put Anzai in that position.

"I'm not going to make this thing political," Cayetano said yesterday. "Earl has done a great job -- he is one of my most trusted advisers. No one can buy Earl Anzai."

However, Cayetano acknowledged that Anzai's confirmation is not assured.

"I don't intend to call anybody. The senators can go up or down, but I just ask that they look at the job he is doing," he said.