Ogata new OHA
administrator

The former president of Honolulu Cellular
was chosen for business background

By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has placed its economic development future in the hands of a 50-year-old former telecommunications executive.

Although Randall K. Ogata declined an interview after being named OHA administrator yesterday, those who worked with the former president of Honolulu Cellular Telephone Co. say the Mililani resident will be an asset for the agency.

Bethanne Enoki, Honolulu Cellular's director of human resources and customer service, worked with Ogata from 1987 to 1994. Ogata's calm demeanor, she said, will help focus the often-charged OHA board of trustees.

"He takes things very easily," Enoki said. "He just sort of goes with the flow, he's not highly reactive or argumentative."

Nelson Hara, the company's director of information technology, remembered how Ogata challenged him to see the bigger picture.

"He's really organized, he's focused, and he won't let distractions get in the way," said Hara, who also worked with Ogata from 1987 to 1994.

The OHA board yesterday emerged from a 45-minute closed meeting to unanimously approve Ogata's nomination to replace Linda Colburn. Ogata was one of five finalists, including acting OHA administrator Sesnita A. Moepono, who were interviewed last Thursday in closed meetings.

While trustees remain tight-lipped about the identities of the other finalists, OHA Chairman Clayton Hee said Ogata was not the only non-Hawaiian and that finalists with Hawaiian blood also were considered for the $85,302-a-year-job.

Hee said Ogata's track record at Honolulu Cellular is valuable as the agency seeks remedy from the state over ceded land issues and pursues plans to use land resources to generate profit.

"I suppose Mr. Ogata will be viewed as someone who will lead us in the new era of economic development as opposed to the past era of social service provider," Hee said. "We'll take a different emphasis, but certainly not to forsake the social service needs of the Hawaiian people."

Trustee Colette Machado said Ogata represents a fresh start. "I like his facilitating style."

Trustee Rowena Akana said Ogata impressed her with his personable responses and extensive business background.

Ogata, in his resume, said he was looking for a job that allows him to plan and implement ideas to ensure an organization's success.

Among his qualifications, the lifelong Hawaii resident said he is "people-oriented ... with proven abilities to operate an efficient organization."

Ogata has no government experience.

He was general sales manager for EMA Office Systems last year and a year before was a partner in Business Consulting Resources, Honolulu.

From 1986 to 1994, Ogata served as chief financial officer at Honolulu Cellular before assuming the role of president/general manager.

He was chief financial officer for E.K. Fernandez Shows Inc. from 1980-1986 and worked at Servco Pacific Inc. from 1971 to 1980.

Ogata is married with three sons. The University of Hawaii graduate volunteers for the American Youth Soccer Organization and coaches and referees in the Hawaii Youth Soccer Association.

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Colburn to contest decision
on vacation pay

By Star-Bulletin staff

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees has unanimously decided to transfer 90 days of vacation owed to former administrator Linda Colburn to the state Department of Health, where Colburn begins work this month.

But Elizabeth Jubin Fujiwara, Colburn's attorney, said Colburn wanted a cash payment for the 90 vacation days with any excess transferred to her new post. Fujiwara said she'll write to the OHA board to seek liquidation of all vacation pay by July 11, or the agency may face another lawsuit.

Colburn was fired June 9 and unsuccessfully sought a severance package from the board. By law, OHA must compensate Colburn for unused vacation days.

Fujiwara said the board's "nickel and dime" discussions yesterday over Colburn's vacation pay may end up costing the agency more in legal fees.

"This serious deviation from past practices smacks of opportunistic punishment," Colburn said in a statement read by Fujiwara. Colburn is vacationing on the mainland.