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Transport chief
Hayashida calls
it quits today

After 44 years of public service,
he's earned a rest, the
governor says

---

By Treena Shapiro
Star-Bulletin

KAZU Hayashida is spending his last day as state Transportation director saying quiet goodbyes to his staff, his secretary said.

After 44 years of government service, Hayashida, 67, is retiring today.

Hayashida plans to spend more time with family, including a brother on the Big Island who is in ill health, according to transportation department spokeswoman Marilyn Kali.

He plans to make time for walking and golfing and wants to spend time with his six grandchildren, taking in their sporting events, Kali said. "He wants to be a grandfather for a while."

"He successfully oversaw the implementation of a number of innovative projects, including the Zip-lane, the Vanpool program and the test run of the WikiWiki Ferry," Gov. Ben Cayetano said yesterday in announcing Hayashida's retirement.

Hayashida, who received a B.S. degree in civil engineering from the University of Hawaii in 1956, began his government career with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. In 1973, he was appointed city deputy of Public Works and was promoted to head the department a year later. In 1975, he was appointed director of the city department of Transportation Services.

Prior to his appointment to the governor's cabinet, Hayashida was the Honolulu Board of Water Supply's manager and chief engineer.

Last year, Hayashida made headlines when he awarded nonbid contracts to engineering firms that employed his wife and son.

This year, he made the news repeatedly as the state dealt with a March 9 rock fall in Waimea that bisected Kamehameha Highway. The state closed the highway and built a temporary bypass road along the beach until a new permanent road was completed just three months later.

Other projects completed during his tenure at the transportation department include the widening of Kalanianaole Highway and completion of the H-3 freeway.

Hayashida will be replaced by Transportation Deputy Director Brian Minaai, pending the state Senate confirmation.

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