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Linda Chu Takayama

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Linda Chu Takayama
Image of Linda Chu Takayama

Nonpartisan

Prior offices
Hawaii Commissioner of Insurance

Hawaii Deputy Director of Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Hawaii Director of Labor and Industrial Relations

Chief of Staff to the Governor of Hawaii

Education

Bachelor's

University of Hawaii

Law

George Mason University School of Law

Personal
Profession
Attorney

Linda Chu Takayama was the chief of staff for former Hawaii Gov. David Ige (D). Ige appointed her on July 13, 2019, following the resignation of Ford Fuchigami.

Takayama is a former Hawaii director of labor and industrial relations. She was appointed to the position by Gov. Ige on April 8, 2015.[1] Her appointment was confirmed by the Hawaii Senate on April 28, 2015.[2]

Gov. Ige selected Takayama to serve as the interim director of the Department of Taxation on December 6, 2017, effective December 11, following the resignation of former Director Maria Zielinski.[3]

Biography

Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of updates to this biography.

At the time of her appointment to lead the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Takayama served as the executive director of the Honolulu Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. She is a practicing attorney as well as a former state insurance commissioner and deputy director of the state department of commerce and consumer affairs.[1]

Takayama has served in various leadership positions throughout her career, including two decades as chair of the Hawaii Foodbank.[4]

Takayama earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Hawaii and a J.D. from George Mason University School of Law in Virginia.[1]

Education

  • B.A., journalism, University of Hawaii
  • J.D., George Mason University School of Law

Political career

David Ige chief of staff (2019 - 2022)

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On July 13, 2019, Gov. Ige appointed Takayama to serve as his chief of staff, effective August 1 of the same year.

Hawaii Director of Labor and Industrial Relations (2015 - 2017)

Takayama was named state director of labor and industrial relations by Governor David Ige (D) on April 8, 2015. She served in the position until December 10, 2017.[1]

Prior to Takayama's appointment, Ige had named Elizabeth Kim to succeed former Director Dwight Takamine, an appointee of Ige's predecessor, Neil Abercrombie (D), on January 5, 2015. Ige withdrew Kim's nomination in late January after it was discovered that she did not meet residency requirements set by the state constitution.[5][6]

About the office

The director heads the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the state agency responsible for administering Hawaii's labor regulations, unemployment insurance, and workforce development programs. The department also produces research and statistics regarding the state's labor market.

Chief of staff

See also: Gubernatorial chiefs of staff
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In 2019, Ballotpedia identified Linda Chu Takayama as a gubernatorial chief of staff. A chief of staff is the lead staff member of an administration and is responsible for implementing the governor's agenda.

The role is both a managerial and advisory position, although specific duties vary by each administration. The chief of staff typically has the following responsibilities, according to the National Governors Association (NGA):[7]

  • Control access to the governor and manage the governor's calendar;
  • Monitor the flow of information to the governor on policy issues;
  • Oversee gubernatorial Cabinet and staff; and
  • Manage and communicate the governor's policy agenda to the state legislature and the public.

In terms of policymaking, the NGA notes that a chief of staff is responsible for bringing policy and communications together: "The chief is responsible for overseeing the development of the governor’s policy agenda. The policy director or advisor is typically responsible for shaping the general concepts and specific details of the agenda with input from the communications director, policy staff, and cabinet members. The chief often must take charge and bring the pieces together coherently."[7]

Appointments

2015

Takayama was appointed to serve as the Hawaii director of labor and industrial relations by Governor David Ige (D) on April 8, 2015.[1] Her nomination was confirmed by the state senate on April 28.[2]

See also

Hawaii State Executive Elections News and Analysis
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Hawaii State Executive Offices
Hawaii State Legislature
Hawaii Courts
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Party control of state government
State government trifectas
State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by
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Chief of Staff to the Governor of Hawaii
2019-2022
Succeeded by
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Preceded by
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Hawaii Director of Labor and Industrial Relations
2015-2017
Succeeded by
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Preceded by
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Hawaii Deputy Director of Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Succeeded by
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Preceded by
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Hawaii Commissioner of Insurance
Succeeded by
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