Lingle names Fukino health director

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Gov. Linda Lingle today named Hawai'i physician Chiyome Leinaala Fukino as director of the state Health Department.

Lingle also named public health professional and nurse Jane K. Kadohiro to serve as deputy director overseeing the general administration of the department.

Fukino, who has had a private practice in internal medicine since 1985 and serves part-time on the medical staff of Leahi Hospital, has focused on Native Hawaiian health. She heads the Hawaii Medical Association's Native Hawaiian Health Committee.

Fukino said her top three priorities are long-term care, substance abuse and mental health. She also said she wants to improve access to quality healthcare, create an efficient system of communication and data gathering, and improve the collaborative health-related efforts between the public and private sector. She said she would begin her term as health director after Christmas.

Lingle said she was impressed with Fukino's background on Native Hawaiian health. Fukino is the fourth Native Hawaiian appointee in Lingle's administration, which includes chief of staff Bob Awana, budget director Georgina Kawamura, and Department of Hawaiian Homelands director Micah Kane.

Fukino is the former medical director of Queen's Physician Group, worked as a contract consultant with Kahi Mohala from 1988 to 1992, and was a physician with the Fronk Clinic from 1982 to 1985. She is a graduate of the University of Hawai'i John A. Burns School of Medicine, Brandeis University, and Kamehameha Schools.

Kadohiro has conducted diabetes research and taught classes at the University of Hawai'i School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene since 1991.

Lingle's nominations of department directors are subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.