Hannemann begins Cabinet shuffle

Mayor Mufi Hannemann made his first official changes in his Cabinet yesterday by appointing two new members.

Hannemann promoted David Tanoue to head the Department of Planning and Permitting. Tanoue served as the No. 2 person under Director Henry Eng, 67, who will be retiring.

Hannemann named Rix Maurer III as director of Budget and Fiscal Services. Maurer has been with the Queen's Medical Center for 25 years and serves as its vice president for financial services and treasurer.

“;The one area we're going to place the emphasis on is the economy,”; Hannemann said in a news conference yesterday. “;(Maurer) has never served in the public sector before. I know he will come in with some new ideas.”;

Maurer replaces Mary Pat Waterhouse, who told Hannemann she wishes to re-enter the private sector.

Two other department directors - Eugene Lee, of Design and Construction, and Craig Nishimura, of Facility Maintenance - told Hannemann they will step down.

Meanwhile, Wayne Hashiro, Hannemann's No. 2 as the city's managing director, has been interviewing with the Board of Water Supply. Outgoing state Rep. Kirk Caldwell is one of the leading contenders for the position if Hashiro leaves.

All mayoral Cabinet members must be confirmed by the City Council.

Candidates for Maui seat unveiled

Gov. Linda Lingle is releasing the names of three candidates to serve the late state Rep. Bob Nakasone's two-year term.

Nakasone died Dec. 7. The Democrat, who had won re-election a month earlier, represented Maui's Kahului and Paia communities in the state House.

State law gives Lingle until Feb. 5 to select a person from three candidates submitted by the Democratic Party.

The three are Gil Keith-Agaran, Kehau Filimoe'atuu and Lance Holter.

Salvation Army donations improve

The Salvation Army's red-kettle donations experienced a slight improvement this week, officials said.

“;We're catching up but we're not quite there yet,”; said spokesman Daniel de Castro. “;We're still optimistic that we'll still match what we had last year.”;

The Salvation Army last year collected $720,000 through red-kettle donations. The latest donation figures is $649,000, compared with $682,000 at the same time last year.

Today is the last day donations will be accepted through the Salvation Army's annual red-kettle donation campaign.

Marines' toy drive is successful

The Marine Corps says it has met its goal of collecting more than 40,000 toys and 14,000 stuffed animals and stocking-stuffers in Hawaii for its Toys for Tots program for needy children.

The Marines said yesterday they have also raised $75,000 in corporate and individual donations to purchase more toys.

The Marine Corps in Hawaii was running behind in its collections as recently as 10 days ago.