Governor names 6 more Cabinet members

The administration of Gov. David Ige began taking shape Wednesday as the new chief executive named six Cabinet member appointments and a deputy chief of staff as he continues the transition into office.

In his first news conference after being sworn in Monday, Ige said he was seeking "transformative leaders" and he would take his time to thoroughly interview and vet the applicants.

"I think he’s probably taking it at this pace because he wants to make sure that he gets the best individuals for our state, and since he had not only a primary (election), but a general — where all of his energy and effort went — I’m OK with this pace," Sen. Will Espero, vice president of the Senate, said in an interview. "I expect he’ll have most of them, hopefully, appointed within the next week or so."

The Cabinet appointments were announced in a news release.

"We are committed to finding the best and brightest in our community to serve as effective leaders in state government," Ige said in a statement. "These appointments show a variety of talented and dedicated individuals from both the public and private sectors, who have decided to work together to create a better Hawaii for future generations."

All of the nominees are subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

Among the nominees was Rachael Wong, vice president and chief operating officer of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, as director of human services. Wong’s appointment was reported earlier this week.

The administration also named two key financial directors: Wesley Machida as director of budget and finance, and Maria Zielinski as tax director.

Machida is executive director of the $14 billion Employees’ Retirement System. He previously served as an assistant state auditor and assistant administrator for the Child Support Enforcement Agency, Ige’s office said.

His private-sector experience includes serving as a senior audit manager with Grant Thornton LLP.

Zielinski previously served as deputy state comptroller and as accounting administrator for Maui County, the governor’s office said.

Other Cabinet members appointed include:

» Douglas G. Murdock, vice president for administrative and fiscal affairs of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, as director of the Department of Accounting and General Services.

» James Nishimoto, a veteran civil servant with 38 years of service in various positions, including executive assistant to the president of the University of Hawaii, as director of the Department of Human Resources Development.

» Luis P. Salaveria, who most recently served as deputy director of finance, as director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Mary Alice Evans will continue as deputy director at DBEDT and Pankaj Bhanot will serve as deputy director at the Department of Human Services, the governor’s office said.

Ige also selected Laurel A. Johnston, former director of the University of Hawaii System Budget Office, as deputy chief of staff. Johnston previously served as assistant clerk for the state Senate, assistant superintendent for planning and budgeting at the state Department of Education, and executive director of the Hawaii Uninsured Project.

"At this stage it doesn’t look like there’s anything to be concerned about," Espero said. "We’ll see as we hear from the public and other stakeholders out there.

"I’m optimistic that Gov. Ige will provide us with competent professionals who are interested in improving our state and helping our citizens."