HONOLULU — Hawaii Gov. David Ige has just two cabinet members in place as he begins his term as governor.
That’s far fewer than his predecessor, Gov. Neil Abercrombie, had when he took office, Hawaii News Now reports.
Abercrombie had named at least 11 directors and several deputies when he took office in December 2010.
Ige has named Mike McCartney as chief of staff, and Ford Fuchigami as director of the state Department of Transportation. But 15 other state departments lack permanent directors.
Ige said he’s finding and putting together the best team he can, regardless of their participation in his campaign.
“We are focused on ensuring that nothing drops through the cracks. That we have leaders in place to work through the transition until we can announce and put in place the cabinet-level administrators in the new administration,” he said.
There are 41 director and deputy positions in 16 state departments, plus political appointees including the governor’s policy, media and neighbor island staff.
Recruiting candidates to work for salaries that are lower in the private sector has been a factor, Ige said.
McCartney took a nearly 50 percent pay cut to become chief of staff, which pays $143,000 a year, compared with his former job as president of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, where his salary was $270,000.
The governor’s attorney general and budget director are also paid $143,000, meaning top private lawyers and financial executives would most likely have to take a pay cut. Salaries for other directors, such as those who oversee the health, public safety and tax departments, are $136,000 a year.
For now, Ige is holding over a number of Abercrombie’s directors and deputies.
“It has been a challenge with the salaries the way they are. As you all know, private sector pays significantly more,” Ige said.
