The resignation marks the first departure by a Cabinet-level appointee in the Lingle administration since she took office in December 2002.

Hong's successor will be Kenneth Taira, who is first assistant to the managing director of Maui County. Taira's appointment is effective Aug. 13.

Hong, 46, cited his desire to return to a full-time personal life in Hilo with his young family as his main reason for leaving. Hong had maintained a part-time residence in Honolulu, flying home to his family on weekends.

He said he was happy Lingle gave him the opportunity to help "get this administration off on a good foundation."

With guidance from Lingle, his office has been able to foster a "newfound respect" between management and the respective government unions, Hong said.

He became the center of a political firestorm during this year's legislative session when the Senate voted 13-12 to reject his appointment by Lingle to the Big Island Circuit Court bench after the Hawai'i State Bar Association rated him as unqualified based on concerns about his judicial temperament. Hong yesterday said the experience did not play a role in his decision to leave as labor negotiator.

Lingle has since submitted Hong's name as one of three given to President Bush for appointment as a U.S. district judge in Hawai'i, a post that has not been filled.

When he was tapped by Lingle to be an interim trustee on the University of Hawai'i's Board of Regents, Hong was among the first, and most vocal, critics of now-ousted President Evan Dobelle.

Hong said he will restart his private law practice, but has not ruled out a return to public life, including the possibility of running for mayor or state senator in four years.

Taira has more than 20 years of personnel management experience with Maui County, including 13 years as deputy director of personnel services. He was the county's employer representative for 10 of those years, including the eight years Lingle was Maui mayor.