Honolulu attorney Darwin Ching, who worked as a social studies teacher at Kaimuki Intermediate School for four years in the 1970s, ran unsuccessfully for the at-large seat last year as one of the Lingle-endorsed candidates. He finished sixth out of 18 candidates who were vying for the three spots.

He will begin serving the remaining portion of Ajifu's term, which ends in November 2006, immediately.

"As an attorney and former teacher, I will focus on discipline problems and making sure that the schools are safe for all of the students," he said. "That's what I want to do in the short time I have on the Board of Education until the next election."

Ching, who turns 59 in two weeks, said teaching is not an easy profession.

"It's awfully tough being a teacher because we made it too litigious. In the old days, the teachers had a lot more discretion. Now, if they do something, they get sued. So they get really scared of being forward," he said. "I think we need to support them, tell them they have rights also. Balance it all out."

Ching is a product of the state's public school system and received his bachelor of arts, teaching certificate and law degree from the University of Hawai'i. He served as a state deputy attorney general from 1979 to 1981 and worked for the Honolulu prosecutor's office from 1981 to 1988 holding various positions including deputy prosecuting attorney. He is now in private practice.

Lingle praised Ching's ability to work with others and his passion for Hawaii's students. The appointment capped a monthlong interview process.

"Darwin has experienced firsthand the challenges facing our public schools," Lingle said. "More importantly, Darwin envisions the potential that our public schools can achieve, and he is committed for the long term to helping the Board of Education find new, creative and innovative solutions that will benefit all our students and educators."

Ching, one of two Lingle allies in the general election, said he will support the governor's reforms, "because I think they make sense."

Ching and Shad Kane had endorsed Lingle's plan to replace the statewide board with locally elected school boards. Lingle had endorsed a total of five candidates, but three lost in the primary election. Ching and Kane lost in the general election.

State schools Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto said she was pleased Lingle filled the position quickly, and said she wasn't worried that Ching hasn't been a teacher in about three decades.

"I really believe once a teacher, always a teacher," she said, "and the passion and the desire to improve education, what we have and focusing on the children is always blessing. It's an asset."

Ching didn't have give any specifics on changes he would make to the state's public school system, which has been struggling to meet the benchmarks set by the federal No Child Left Behind law.

"I don't think there's one big challenge. I think there are many challenges and I think we all need to work together and I hope I can be a part that helps the system," he said.