Hong going way of Anzai
By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist
Ben Cayetano had his Earl Anzai. Linda Lingle has her Ted Hong.
Cayetano seemed to feel that there was no job Earl Anzai couldn't do. First, Anzai was appointed state budget director. Then for a brief time, he was Cayetano's executive assistant. Then, Cayetano appointed Anzai state attorney general. When it came to Cabinet positions, it seemed one Earl fit all.
Then there's Ted Hong, who has been called the "best man for the job" for a bunch of different jobs.
In just over a year in office, Lingle has named Hong to the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents, as chief labor negotiator, and now, circuit court judge for the Big Island.
Anzai, a 1981 graduate of the University of Hawai'i Richardson School of Law, had a heck of a time in his Senate confirmation hearings.
Hong, a 1983 graduate of the University of Hawai'i Richardson School of Law, was slow-grilled by the Senate Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
Hong won endorsement from the Senate panel, but it's clear there will be more kiawe piled on the broiler when his nomination goes to the full Senate.
If Hong truly follows in the Anzai archetype, he will rise from the ashes, papa'a or not. Lingle will see to it.
Anzai worked in private practice before joining Cayetano's staff when Cayetano was in the state Senate. When Cayetano became governor, he appointed Anzai state budget director. Anzai's reappointment to the post in 1999 was rejected by the Senate, which at the time was in a mood for such things. Around that same time, the Senate rejected Margery Bronster's reappointment as attorney general, which drew a firestorm of criticism from the public.
But Cayetano made sure both Bronster and Anzai weren't out of work or out of sight. Though Bronster passed on an offer by Cayetano to serve as special counsel to the governor's office, Anzai stuck around.
For a few months, Anzai became Cayetano's executive assistant "on loan" to his former department. Then, in a classic Cayetano move, the governor nominated Anzai as attorney general.
The other similarity between the two is the nebulous criticism of their personalities. No one ever said either wasn't qualified for the various positions. Anzai was basically labeled "stubborn" and Hong was essentially called "intemperate."
Whatever happens, Ted Hong has an interesting future ahead of him.
Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.
