U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo, an appointee of President Bush, wants to keep his job, but he will likely have to leave his post with Sen. Barack Obama taking over the presidency.

President Elect Obama Will Return To Hawaii In December

 

A Dec. trip would be in keeping with previous family holiday visits but Obama will be hard pressed to eke out personal time.

 

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  Traditionally, the country's 93 U.S. attorneys submit resignations when a new administration takes over because they serve the president. Most are replaced when a new president's political party differs from the predecessor's party.

Kubo, however, said yesterday he does not plan to submit a resignation from the position as Hawaii's top federal law enforcement officer.

He recognizes, though, that he might have to leave.

“;I have much more that I want to accomplish for our state, but I'm practical and realistic,”; he said.

Kubo, U.S. attorney for nearly seven years, said he will await instructions from either the Bush administration or the incoming Obama team on whether to resign.

Jennifer Sabas, Hawaii chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, who is expected to have a key role in selecting any new U.S. attorney here, said it's too early to say “;definitively”; whether Kubo will be able to remain.

“;But with any White House, we would expect that the White House would like to see a new face as the U.S. attorney for Hawaii,”; she said.

The White House generally relies on the state's U.S. senators from the same party to submit recommendations.

Sabas recalled that under Democratic President Clinton's tenure, Inouye and U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, both Democrats, were involved in doing the final interviews and submitting the name of former U.S. Attorney Steven Alm, now a state circuit judge.

She said they are awaiting word from Obama's national organization, which she noted is busy assembling his White House team. But she said Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono, Hawaii's U.S. representatives, probably will also be involved in the selection process.

Sabas also said the process will include Andy Winer, Obama's coordinator here.

Winer said yesterday it's premature for him to comment. He said he applied to be part of the transitional team locally and nationally and hopes to get word in a week or so. Winer, a lawyer, said he's not interested in the federal post.

Kubo, 55, took office in December 2001 and heads an office of 24 other lawyers. The office represents federal agencies - including the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration - in criminal and civil matters here.

“;It's been a wonderful ride and honor for me,”; he said.

Although he wants to retain his job, Kubo also said did not want to put any pressure on Hawaii's senators.

He said in addition to reapplying for U.S. attorney if he has to leave, he would consider working as an assistant U.S. attorney, a position he held before he was elevated to head of the office.

Kubo said he would reach a milestone 20 years of federal service for retirement benefits late next year.

“;I don't know what my future is,”; Kubo said. “;That is beyond me. I am just leaving it to others to decide what they want me to do and where they want me to go.”;

Kubo, however, said he doesn't plan to apply for the vacancy on the Hawaii Supreme Court with Associate Justice Steven Levinson's retirement at the end of the year.

“;My guiding light is, how can I be of service to the state and how can I make it safer?”; he said. “;I will never shut the door on any opportunity where I can help people.”;

Obama's appointment of Hawaii's U.S. attorney would be subject to Senate confirmation, which isn't expected to be a problem because the Democrats control the Senate.

The only other federal position here that is considered to serve the president and is subject to Senate approval is the U.S. marshal, a post held by Bush-appointee Mark “;Dutchie”; Hanohano.

He could not be reached for comment yesterday.