Bank chief to head
redistricting panel

Wayne Minami has experience
and both parties' respect

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By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

Wayne Minami, retiring tomorrow as president and chief executive officer of American Savings Bank, has been named as chairman of the 2001 state Reapportionment Commission.

Minami is away on business and could not be reached for comment.

"I know he has a good reputation," said Larry Meacham, spokesman for Common Cause Hawaii, one of the groups monitoring the redistricting process.

Commissioners say Minami's solid reputation in the banking industry and by his public service makes him a good choice for a job that deals with crunching numbers and working with people.

Minami is a former state attorney general under Gov. George Ariyoshi and has served as director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies. And he is involved in Kids Voting Hawaii and is a director of Adult Friends for Youth, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii, the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii and other community groups.

"I think he's going to be a good choice," said member David Rae.

"Obviously, he's been with government with the Attorney General's Office, and I think that really will help in terms of some of the issues of reapportionment and redistricting," Rae said.

Minami was recommended by the four Democrats on the panel and accepted by the four Republicans.

Acting Chairman Rick Clifton, who was appointed to the commission by Republican legislative leaders, said Minami's nomination was discussed among Republican leaders, including Hawaii GOP Chairwoman Linda Lingle.

"The general consensus of everybody -- I'm not trying to single her out -- was that he is very capable and well respected and has a reputation in the community that would lead everyone to suspect that he would be fair," said Clifton, named vice chairman of the panel yesterday.

Under Minami's leadership, American Savings Bank's assets have grown to $6 billion from $1 billion, and it has doubled the number of branches statewide. Minami stressed a customer service approach during his tenure.