Lingle’s Cabinet Gov. Linda Lingle said she has received recommendations for Cabinet appointees for nearly all of the state's top posts, including that of public safety director, one of two nominees she will announce on Monday.
nearly complete
The governor still hasn’t found anybody
to nominate as transportation directorBy Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.comBut her transition search committees still have not found anyone to recommend as director of the Department of Transportation, which will likely be her last Cabinet appointment.
The governor continued to add neighbor islanders to her administration yesterday, naming Ted Hong, a Big Island attorney, as the state's chief negotiator, and Richard Bissen Jr., Maui prosecuting attorney, as first deputy attorney general.
"Neither of them are directors of a department, but both of them are critical positions in our administration," said Lingle, who had named Georgina Kawamura, her former Maui County budget director and a Maui resident, as state budget director.
Hong, who was one of many longtime Democrats who publicly crossed party lines to endorse Lingle in the Nov. 5 election, will head the Office of Collective Bargaining.
He will work with the state budget director and the yet-unappointed state human resources director as the state prepares to return to the bargaining table with nearly all of the public labor unions.
Hong is experienced in labor arbitration and mediations involving collective bargaining agreements. He has served as a county prosecutor and deputy corporation counsel, and most recently served as a grand jury counsel for the 3rd Circuit Court.
Hong said he wants to take a fresh, detailed look at the collective bargaining agreements in place and see if there are ways to improve efficiency while improving the workplace for state workers.
But he will also work to maintain Lingle's promise not to lay off any state workers or reduce their benefits. Hong's office also is in charge of privatization of state services, a looming issue for legislators.
"From my perspective, what I bring to the table is, I will treat my counterparts in the public-sector union with respect," Hong said. "I will treat them courteously, cordially, (and) I will always have an open door to anybody who wants to meet and talk with me, not only with respect with the union bosses, but the rank and file," he said.
Bissen will work with newly named state Attorney General Mark Bennett. A Maui County prosecutor since August 1995, Bissen was the lead deputy who primarily handled violent crime and high-profile cases for the department.
Bissen has served on several panels dealing with domestic violence, juvenile justice and female offenders. He was a founding member of the Maui Drug Court program.
"He's not just an outstanding lawyer and prosecutor ... but he's one of the best managers of people that I have ever worked with," Lingle said.
State of Hawaii
