Davis Yogi, the state's chief negotiator and director of the Human Resources Department, paused in his rounds of labor negotiations yesterday to win an easy confirmation from the Senate Labor Committee. Yogi wins confirmation
as human resources directorBy Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin
Yogi was named chief negotiator in 1999 but last year took on the additional job of human resources director.
Senators questioned how Yogi handled the two positions. Yogi said he devoted 75 percent of his time to the human resources director's job in the last six months, but since the negotiations have heated up in the last month, he has spent only 40 percent of his time with human resources.
He drew praise from both unions and management, as the leaders of the Hawaii Government Employees Association and the Hawaii State Teachers Association endorsed his nomination.
Gary Rodrigues, the director of the blue-collar United Public Workers union, appeared in person to praise Yogi.
"You judge a negotiator by his credibility, and his (Yogi's) word is adamant. You can count on it," Rodrigues said.
Also speaking in favor of Yogi was Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono. After she was finished, Rodrigues joked that Hirono, who plans to run for governor next year, will continue on with Yogi.
"After the LG get elected governor, he can continue to do even more," Rodrigues said.
Yogi is a former vice president for environmental operations and government affairs for Brewer Environmental Industries.
He also served 10 years as a field service officer for the HGEA and one year as a state Senate researcher.
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