Lawyers support nominee for attorney general

By Lynda Arakawa and Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

State Attorney General Mark Bennett received overwhelming praise and support at a Senate confirmation hearing yesterday as dozens of people, primarily lawyers, described him as a smart, hard-working attorney dedicated to his clients.

Yesterday was the 22nd day of the 60-day session.

Hanabusa also said she would recommend that the committee endorse the nomination of Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Chairman Micah Kane. The Senate Health Committee also voted to endorse the appointment of Dr. Chiyome Fukino as director of the Health Department. All three nominations will go to the full Senate for final votes.

The three are among 16 appointed by Gov. Linda Lingle to Cabinet positions. Department of Accounting and General Services director Russ Saito, state Adjutant General Robert Lee and state Department of Transportation director Rod Haraga already have received the endorsement of the Senate Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations Committee.

Full Senate votes on Lingle's appointees have not been scheduled.

Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Michael Seabright was among the lawyers who praised Bennett for the post as the state's top legal officer. He said Bennett was one of the most ethical, hard-working, industrious attorneys he worked with, who "zealously represents his clients" and would bring the same zeal to represent Hawai'i residents.

Richard Pomaikaiokalani Kinney of the Hawaiian Political Action Council of Hawai'i opposed the appointments of both Bennett and Kane, criticizing last week's eviction of six Hilo homestead families who officials said owed back payments totaling $250,000.

Some representing the Native Hawaiian community, such as Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Haunani Apoliona, praised Bennett for Lingle's decision to resume payments to OHA from state ceded-land revenues. Others representing Native Hawaiian organizations also backed the state in the eviction during Kane's confirmation hearing.

Bennett, 49, former Hawai'i Republican Party lawyer and partner in the Honolulu law firm McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon, said the Child Support Enforcement Agency, which falls under the attorney general's office, would be among his top priorities. He said he was exploring a plan to improve customer service by expanding the agency's hours. In addition, Bennett stressed a commitment to prosecute those who violate environmental laws and those guilty of fraud.

Kane, 33, former chairman and executive director of the Hawai'i GOP and former government affairs liaison for the Building Industry Association of Hawaii, also received overwhelming testimony in support of his appointment as Department of Hawaiian Home Lands chairman. People representing Native Hawaiian organizations, building industry officials and others said Kane is a hardworking, effective leader who understands and is committed to issues surrounding Hawaiian homestead lands and the needs of the Native Hawaiian community.

Among his goals is to distribute homestead lands to everyone entitled to it within five years by acquiring lands for development and awarding "unimproved lots" to eliminate financial requirements for some applicants.

Fukino, 52, who left private practice to become health director, was praised as intelligent, hard-working and possessing the ability to pull together diverse viewpoints as well as a background that gives her broad understanding of many issues. Fukino said her top priorities included issues of long-term care, mental health and substance abuse.

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