Wong, who was recently an attorney at The Pacific Law Group, will replace Robert Watada as the commission's executive director in October.

The commission has been wrapping up a lengthy investigation into campaign-finance abuses in Honolulu, centered on donations to former Mayor Jeremy Harris, that has led to fines and several guilty pleas.

Wong, in a statement released by the commission, said she wants to make "a positive contribution to this community by ensuring that playing field will remain level."

Wong was one of the Honolulu Police Department's first female officers and became its first woman assistant police chief in 1997. She retired from the force in 2000 and attended law school at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.