Last Monday, the power Senate Ways and Means Committee voted 7-4 against the appointment of Craig Hirai, Governor David Ige’s nominee to head the Department of Budget and Finance.

But on Friday, the full Senate voted unanimously in support of Hirai, whose appointment will run until December 5, 2022.

Hirai has been serving as the acting Director of Finance.

His background is summarized in the Senate WAM committee report:

He previously served for six years as the Executive Director of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, and has also served as Chair of the State Rental Housing Trust Fund Commission and Chair of the 2001-2003 State Tax Review Commission. Mr. Hirai has a Master of Science Degree in Accounting, a Master of Business Administration Degree, and a Master of Laws in Taxation Degree. Mr. Hirai is a certified public accountant with a permit to practice in the State of Hawaii and is an inactive member of the Hawaii State Bar Association. Mr. Hirai also has forty years of experience as a tax accountant and tax attorney in the State.

Hirai was also registered as a lobbyist for the Hawaii Association of Realtors between January 17 and December 31, 2013. Previously he had been a member of the realtor’s Legislative Committee.

What the committee report doesn’t mention is that Hirai has also been a political player and a frequent contributor to political campaigns. Hirai has contributed a total of $36,650 to candidates between May 2007 and June 30, 2020, mostly Democratic legislative candidates or elected officials.

The majority of Hirai’s contributions were $250 or less, and were spread among 40 different candidates.

Hirai contributed a total of $8,750 to David Ige beginning with $250 in August, 2011, and including six contributions of $1,000 or more between 2014 and 2018.

My guess is that Hirai attended political fundraising events in order to build his networks and stay in touch with legislators and lobbyists. With the exception of his larger contributions to Gov. Ige, none were large enough to indicate that he was attempting to gain special access or influence.