honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, March 1, 2003

Senate confirms 5 Lingle nominees

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

The Democrat-dominated state Senate voted unanimously to confirm five members of Gov. Linda Lingle's Cabinet yesterday.

With votes of 25-0, the Senate confirmed Lingle's nominations of Attorney General Mark Bennett, Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairman Micah Kane, Department of Accounting and General Services director Russ Saito and Adjutant General Robert Lee. Transportation Department director Rodney Haraga was confirmed by a 24-0 vote.

They are the first five of 16 appointments in Lingle's Cabinet who have won confirmation in the Senate, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 20-5.

All five nominees, aided by testimony overwhelmingly supporting their nomination, appeared to breeze through the confirmation process and were praised by both Democrats and Republicans.

Senate Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee Chairwoman Colleen Hanabusa, D-21st (Nanakuli, Makaha), heaped accolades on Bennett and Kane, two former key Republican Party figures. Bennett is the former attorney for the Republican Party of Hawai'i; Kane is the former Hawai'i GOP executive director and chairman.

Hanabusa said Bennett is probably "the brightest, most skilled, most competent attorney general we have ever seen." She said he is "not only tough (and) smart but also very compassionate."

Hanabusa also praised Kane and repeated testimony from various community leaders and others who said he is intelligent, qualified and deeply committed to Native Hawaiian issues.

Senate Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations Chairman Cal Kawamoto said Saito, a former engineer and manager at GTE/Verizon, would work to increase trust in government and make operations more efficient.

Kawamoto, D-18th (Waipahu, Crestview, Pearl City), said transportation director Haraga has quickly familiarized himself with local transportation issues and has a "tireless approach to problem-solving."

Kawamoto cited Lee's qualifications to lead the Department of Defense. Sen. Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waimanalo, Portlock), added that Lee is a "professional soldier" who has devoted his life to defending the country and the state.

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