Gov.-elect Linda Lingle has added three more transition teams to search for new Cabinet members, including two directors to operate the Public Safety Department. Lingle teams seek commerce,
public safety and tax directors
Legislators hope to work well with Lingle
By Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.comLt. Gov.-elect James "Duke" Aiona said he will head one team in the search for two new public safety directors.
The Lingle administration wants to divide the department between corrections and law enforcement.
Aiona said the state sheriff's office is underutilized and that the law enforcement job is different from the job of operating the state prisons.
The sheriff's office also should have "appropriate funding, staffing and equipment," Aiona said.
Lingle is on the mainland, attending the National Governors Association meeting in Texas and the Republican Governors Association meeting in California.
Aiona's public safety search committee consists of City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle; attorney George Lindsey; retired law enforcement officer Dan Lama; Tenari Maafala, State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers state president; Rags Scanlan, Royal Security Guards; state Sheriff Mark Hanohano; public defender Jack Tonaki; U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo; and Frank Lopes, public safety intake service center.
The other search committees will look for a new state tax director and new head of the Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs.
Attorney Shelton Jim On will head the DCCA search.
Committee members include Paula Arcena, Hawaii Medical Association; Mike May, Hawaiian Electric Co.; attorneys Sidney Ayabe, Reuben Wong, Joelle Segawa Kane and Rae McCorkle; Dave Rolf, Hawaii Auto Dealers; Elliot Sumida, DTRIC Insurance; and Rann Watumull, Bank of Hawaii.
The tax director search will be conducted by Linda Smith, small-business woman and former city finance director.
Committee members include economist Leroy Laney; Cathy Lee Combs, CPA; Alan Yee, CPA; tax attorney Joe Goldcamp; Steven Baker, Lanka Bell chairman; and Michael Seabright, assistant U.S. attorney.
