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Mayor Kim’s picks
‘break the mold’
for Big Isle

The new planning director
and executive assistant
are environment-oriented

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By Rod Thompson
Big Island correspondent

HILO-- The appointment by incoming Big Island Mayor Harry Kim of two environmentally oriented people to his administration shows a new approach to government, two commentators say.

Republican Kim confirmed yesterday that Democratic Sen. Andy Levin will become his executive assistant and attorney Chris Yuen will become his planning director.

Levin has been noted for great caution on geothermal development.

Yuen, who led opposition to a West Hawaii resort in the 1980s, later served on the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.

"It certainly is a fresh look at county government," said businessman and former Republican Sen. Richard Henderson.

"I think he's trying to break the mold," said frequent Sierra Club spokesman Nelson Ho.

The two disagreed about the direction the change will take.

Henderson said the appointment of Yuen might have been made by Green Party candidate Keiko Bonk. "It sounds like Keiko got elected," he said.

Ho commented, "I'd say that's a home run for Harry."

Kim said Yuen got "respect from all sides" on the Land Board.

Kim said he appointed Levin because he needs someone who knows the Legislature.

Henderson noted Levin was "demoted" in the recent Senate reorganization.

Ho responded, "I think Andy can work through that."

Levin resigned from the Senate to accept Kim's offer.

"Only one person could cause me to leave the Senate: Harry Kim," he said. He called Kim "an extraordinary man" setting out to do "an extraordinary job."

Other Kim appointments are:

Pat Englehard to head the Department of Parks and Recreation. A Republican, she held the same post under Democratic Mayor Dante Carpenter in the 1980s.

Lincoln Ashida to head the corporation counsel's office. A deputy prosecutor, he helped convict suspects in the 1991 murder of Dana Ireland.

Dixie Kaetsu to be managing director. A longtime member of the Finance Department, she was recently named its head.

Peter Young to be deputy managing director in West Hawaii. He is a real estate appraiser and another Republican among Kim's mostly Democratic appointments.

Tom Brown to run the county bus system. He is currently its acting head.

Three appointees yet to be named are the heads of Finance, Research and Development, and Public Works. Kim said he hopes to name them by tomorrow.

Kim said he told all of the appointees to identify their weaknesses, then said, "You go find a deputy that will complement you."