One week before he takes the oath of office Governor-elect Neil Abercrombie has begun filling out his cabinet.
On Monday Abercrombie nominated an investment banker, a warden, a Hawaiian activist and the head of a non-profit charter school organization as members of his cabinet.
Speaking in the lobby of the State Office Tower the longtime democrat said his nominees reflect a promise that politics and favoritism won’t play a role in the creation of his leadership team.
“They never believed they would be in front of you because they thought politics would get in the way or that someone else would surely have the inside track with me,” Abercrombie told reporters, as the nominees stood behind him.
Perhaps the most recognizable face among the nominees was Waianae Harbormaster and native Hawaiian activist William Aila Jr., who was tapped to head the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Abercrombie said Aila was a natural fit to lead the department because of his knowledge of the issues and a “calmness of spirit.”
“Whether he's with you or against you or whether he agrees with your or disagrees with you,” said Abercrombie, “you can count on dealing with someone who respects you, who respects the process (and) who respects himself.”
The Sierra Club of Hawaii immediately endorsed Aila as DLNR director, calling him and “outstanding choice.” Aila is a former Sierra Club Executive Committee member and was a strong advocate for the creation of the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Monument.
Jodie Maesaka-Hirata, the current warden of the Waiawa Correctional Facility, could also become Hawaii's first female Public Safety director. Maesaka-Hirata has been with the department 18 years and says allegations of prisoner mistreatment at the Saguaro Correctional Facility in Eloy, Arizona will be looked at carefully.
“Everything's more through the director's office,” said Maesaka-Hirata, “so (I’m) not real privy as to all the details but we certainly want to take a look at the things that are happening and correct all the things that need to be corrected.”
As the potential leader of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Abercrombie picked Richard Lim to keep Hawaii's recovering economy on track.
Lim is the co-founder and managing director of investment bank Sennet Capital and promised to carry out Abercrombie’s vision to diversify the state’s economy.
"I think he focused on energy, diversified ag (and) diversified tourism in fact,” said Lim. “So the plan is already articulated it's just a matter of us now to implement it.”
Rounding out Abercrombie’s initial department head nominees was Alapaki Nahale-a, who was chosen to lead the Department of Hawaiian Homelands with Bobby Hall as his deputy.
Nahale-a is the executive director of the Hawaii Charter Schools Network and has first hand knowledge of the importance of the Hawaiian Homelands Trust Fund.
"Being a homesteader myself I have a real appreciation for what the trust can do,” said Nahale-a, who promised to get more DHHL land in the hands of native Hawaiians.
In the coming weeks Abercrombie must nominate another twelve department heads including a state attorney general. So far his transitional website NewDay.org has received more than 3,500 resumes.
“Someone's present political position is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage,” said Abercrombie. “I'm looking for those that are the best.”
On Monday Abercrombie also named members of his communications staff.
Josh Levinson was named Communications Director, Laurie Au was named Deputy Communications Director and Donalyn Dela Cruz was named Abercrombie’s Press Secretary.
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