But Mr. Hollywood’s reign in Hawaii has ended -- at least as the head of the transportation department, which oversees 2,500 people and all of the state’s major harbors, airports and highways.

In an announcement at a press conference about two of her cabinet members leaving “voluntarily,” Gov. Linda Lingle said: “Both Mr. Haraga (and Mr. Nelson Befitel, director of the Labor Department) made a decision to go and pursue other avenues in their life at this time.”

But reporters who’d already interviewed Haraga earlier that morning knew he hadn’t left his post voluntarily.

Surprised the governor wouldn’t just say she decided to reappoint someone else, reporters pressed her and asked her the question in a different way: “Did either man get offered a reappointment to your second term?”

Lingle replied, “Well, again, both of them wanted to go and pursue other things.”

Reporters asked the governor again, this time about the timing of the decision. She replied: “I don't want to get into any dates and times but he won't be staying on … Mr. Haraga wants to pursue other things at this time, and I respect that."

But yesterday, Haraga blew a big hole in the governor’s claims.

Haraga told KHON TV: “It was not my decision. I wanted to spend the next 4 years doing more things for the state, because I'm enjoying this job.”

Haraga told KITV: "I was a little disappointed because I was hoping to stay another four years, but obviously in her plans, my plans really didn't match up with hers … I never really got a true reason, but you know, she doesn't have to have a reason.”

Haraga told KGMB TV, "I concurred that I should leave because I didn't fit in apparently into her plan," said Haraga.

He said that the governor told him on Monday, just after he returned from vacation, that she would not be reappointing him. Before he left for vacation, he says the governor said he could keep his job.

Democrat and Republican lawmakers told Hawaii Reporter yesterday how disappointed they were because Haraga is always accessible and never misses a legislative hearing or community meeting.

But the announcement itself wasn’t a surprise in the governor’s close political circles. Many believed the governor felt threatened by Haraga’s high media profile and some of the governor’s staff thought Haraga was a “Prima Donna” and “not a team player.”

But the governor’s explanation was downright disillusioning to those who have entrusted her to lead the state.

She was elected in 2002 on a three-pronged platform that included “restoring trust in government.”

Lying or deceiving the public about something as simple as replacing a cabinet member was completely unnecessary and it will also have long-term implications for the governor’s credibility, believability and trustworthiness.

Now the media knows she will lie, not once, but repeatedly, during a press conference. And because the media reported the story in a way that her lie was exposed, the public knows that too. Her cabinet members also got a message yesterday -- don’t outshine the governor -- and that can be translated to -- “don’t do your job too well, but if you do, don’t let too many people know about it.”

Haraga is being replaced by Barry Fukunaga, who worked for the Department of Transportation’s airport and harbor divisions most of his life, appointed by two Democrat Governor (Waihee and Cayetano) and worked for Democrat Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris. There is no reason to think he can pull the department out of the dreary dysfunction it’s been in for the last several decades. He’s had his opportunity over two decades as the head of the Oahu Airport division and the Harbors division. The governor also noted he has a more demure style compared to Haraga, which is not really good news for media wanting someone who can communicate with the public with a spark in times of crisis.

Another disappointment is the departure of Nelson Befitel as the director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Befitel might not have survived the Senate confirmation process because he did make such a big difference in his department in favor of employers and employees, outraging the powerful union leaders who run this state. Befitel, a close family friend of Lingle’s, will remain on the job until a replacement is found.

Lingle has several outstanding cabinet members -- including Mark Recktenwald of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Mark Bennett, the state attorney general; and Lillian Koller of the Department of Human Services -- who will remain on the job. But unfortunately, two solid cabinet members who have made a big difference will not return to finish the job they started in 2002. That is bad news for the public who supported Lingle as well as her cabinet members when they voted this November to return her to office.

Most worrisome, however, is if Lingle lied about this minor change which she has every right to make, what else has she or will she lie about? It is a legitimate question and one the public she represents should be concerned about.

Malia Zimmerman, editor and president of Hawaii Reporter, can be reached via email at mailto:Malia@hawaiireporter.com

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