Ige appoints Ford Fuchigami as head of DOT

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Governor-elect David Ige announced Tuesday he will appoint Ford Fuchigami as director of the state Department of Transportation.

"I believe that he will be an important link to the city, working cooperatively on critical transportation projects such as rail," Ige said in a statement. I appreciate his dedication to public service and his strong desire to make long-lasting contributions to Hawaii's statewide transportation system."

Fuchigami previously served as interim director of the DOT – after Glenn Okimoto left his post to return to the University of Hawaii in May -- and then was appointed in October by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell to lead the city's Department of Enterprises Services.

“We worked well with Ford when he was the interim director at the Department of Transportation, and this move signifies a positive future working relationship between the city and state on important issues,” Caldwell said. “Ford is a hard worker and a man of great integrity and I wish him well in this significant career move. Oahu drivers, bus riders, bicyclists and pedestrians, and airport and harbor users will all continue to benefit from Ford's work for the state.”

Fuchigami will start his role as director when Ige takes office on Dec. 1 and will remain as director-designate of DES until Nov. 28.

Fuchigami is a graduate of Damien Memorial High School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He has spent more than 30 years in the hospitality industry and previously led the state's airports system.

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