HCDA: Director Tony Ching Deserves Pay Raise

Chad Blair/Civil Beat

The Hawaii Community Development Authority approved a 5 percent increase for executive director Tony Ching at a time when other state officials are subject to a 5 percent salary cut because of tight fiscal times.

Two sources tell Civil Beat that the HCDA made the recommendation during an executive session on Feb. 1 while discussing Ching's performance evaluation. Three HCDA board members opposed the pay raise, but a majority of the 18-member board voted in favor.

However, because the pay raise was not listed on the public agenda for the Feb. 1 meeting — an apparent violation of state law — the authority plans to vote again on the raise, perhaps as early its March 7 meeting. The HCDA meets on the first Wednesday of each month.

Civil Beat granted anonymity to the two sources — both members of HCDA — because they had direct knowledge of authority deliberations; their work with the HCDA could be in jeopardy because they spoke to the press.

If approved, Ching's annual salary would increase from $110,250 to $115,762 — an increase of $5,512.

Because of the 5 percent cuts imposed on salaries, Ching's fiscal year 2012 salary was reduced to $104,736.

With a pay raise that still factors in the 5 percent cut, Ching would make about $110,000 — more than $103,512 earned by Richard Lim, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, to which the HCDA is administratively attached.

Ching told Civil Beat that he could not comment on executive session matters; in fact, he was not part of the Feb. 1 session.

"I was not invited, so I can't confirm or deny what happened," said Ching, who has held his post for four years. "Typically, they are are veiled in confidentiality. What I can say is that I haven't been notified of a pay increase or pay raise, and at this point it is not on the March agenda. Nor do I expect it to be. I am not requesting a pay raise at this time."

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