We are not quite reassured by Gov. Neil Abercrombie's assurances in an article yesterday about the high turnover rate in his staff and Cabinet.
He asserted that 12 resignations in his first 15 months " . . . is to be expected, particularly with some of the people that have sacrificed themselves."
Perhaps the governor is correct that many of his people have familial obligations that limit the time they can put in the hours a job in the administration requires.
We are particularly sad, however, to hear of the departure soon of Alapaki Nahale-a as chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Nahale-a was the first chairman to have been raised on Hawaiian homelands.
We had the opportunity recently to meet and interview him as he talked about DHHL participation in the development of a Pu'unene Master Plan, including spearheading a new Maui Community Correctional Center.
Without getting into the specifics of whether or not we agreed with every aspect of the plans, we'd simply say that Nahale-a is one of the most impressive people we've met in public life. His enthusiasm and dedication is contagious - he certainly had us believing he could bring those projects to fruition. He is bright, forthright and friendly.
In any event, we understand the strains that commuting from the Big Island must put on Nahale-a's family. But we'd urge the governor and the heads of both political parties in the state to keep this young man in mind.
He is a leader and we think he has a bright political future ahead of him in Hawaii.
* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.
