Ford Fuchigami
His appointment to run
the state DOT hinges
on Senate confirmation
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Gov.-elect David Ige will bring Ford Fuchigami back to the state Department of Transportation as its director.
Fuchigami had served as the department’s interim director before taking a post Nov. 1 as director of the city Department of Enterprise Services. Before becoming acting DOT director in May, he was the state airports administrator.
Fuchigami, who must be confirmed by the state Senate, will start when Ige is inaugurated Dec. 1. His last day with the city under Mayor Kirk Caldwell is Nov. 28.
"Ford proved to be a stellar administrator of one of the most complex and vital departments of the state, and I’ve asked him to return," Ige said in a statement. "I believe that he will be an important link to the city, working cooperatively on critical transportation projects such as rail. I appreciate his dedication to public service and his strong desire to make long-lasting contributions to Hawaii’s statewide transportation system."
Caldwell, in a statement, said Fuchigami’s appointment "signifies a positive future working relationship between the city and state on important issues. Ford is a hard worker and a man of great integrity and I wish him well in this significant career move. Oahu drivers, bus riders, bicyclists and pedestrians, and airport and harbor users will all continue to benefit from Ford’s work for the state."
Ige also announced that his transition team has extended the deadline to apply for positions in his new administration. The deadline will run through Wednesday. The initial deadline was Sunday, but the transition team extended the application window after hearing from people who could not access the application website because of the volume of inquiries.