Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 7, 1 Iulai 2011 — Bringing Sunshine to the state's workforce [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Bringing Sunshine to the state's workforce

ByTreenaShapiro Six months after stepping out of the private sector to lead the state Department of Human Resources Development, Sunshine Topping recalls the missive her father repeated daily throughout her childhood: "Never forget who you are or where you eame from." The 41-year-old from Keaukaha has carried her father's advice into the poliheal arena, where her identity and ideals remain intact. Professionally, she's in her element as she strives to rebuild respect and confidence in the state's workforce. Topping has spent the past 15 years working in human resources, but she's a fresh face in Hawai'i government. "HR people really need to be neutral because we don't like to alienate the people we represent," she said. Her interest in politics emerged during the 2010 gubernatorial campaign, as now-Gov. Neil Abercrombie answered questions at an Office of Hawaiian Affairs/Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement conference. Topping says Abercrombie's passion and conviction in support of civil rights and equality made her realize, "I really want to be part of this." With few connections and no government experience, she didn't think she stood a ehanee when she filed an online application with the new administration. During her interview with Abercrombie, however, she realized that he was looking for someone with a human resources background. Her predecessors have been attorneys, but Abercrombie wanted his nominee to convey his eommitment to supporting and nur-

turing state employees. Topping observes, "That's probably the best use of my pretty small and specialized skill set." Abercrombie offered Ka Wai Ola a broader description of Topping's qualifications: "She knows human psychology and human resources inside and out. She knows every aspect of the law and every nuanee of human behavior. That's an unbeatable combination." The Governor also provided a snapshot of Topping's personality, noting with a name like hers, she was destined to spark enthusiasm. "If there was ever a time when words and reality eome together, it's with Sunshine. She's vivacious, energetic, dynamic, smart and witty, in fact more than smart, she's quick," he says. Directing the Department of Human Resources Development during a hnaneial crisis has offered Topping broad perspective on issues facing the state's workforce. "When there's finite resources, there's finite resources," she states matter-of-factly. For four years, budget limitations have forced puhlie workers to make concessions and government to scale back services. State employees are now doing more work for less pay, and still get blamed when offices are closed and services are cut. The contentious negotiations have stripped the allure from oneecoveted state jobs, as well. If the state doesn't switch course, it could face a major staffing crisis in a few years as Baby Boomers begin hitting retirement age in mass numbers. The state needs to start laying groundwork immediately, and on several fronts to have a pool of qualified workers to choose from, Topping explains.

Specialized eeonomie and workforce development, along with specific industry outreach, is needed to ensure that the state ean fill positions that require advanced college degrees, as scientists, attorneys, nurses, judges and paralegals. "These are critical services you can't do without, but if we're not seen as a plaee people want to work, we're not going to be able to staff the positions," she said. The administration may not be able to restore lost wages, but it ean lead the way in showing it cares for its employees by treating them with appreciation and esteem. "If we ean mālama this workforce, show respect for the workforce itself ... I really think that will carry over to how the puhlie sees state employees," Topping suggests. State officials, including the Governor, also need to listen to their employees, get to know them, take their suggestions and work with the unions to mitigate the impact limited resources have on puhlie services. "You ean really change the outcome of things if you care for your employees," Topping says.

Topping hopes Abercrombie's cabinet appointments make it clear his administration values professional credentials over political connections. "The Governor really tried to piek the most qualified people for the job," she explains. "The fact that five of us are Hawaiian is just amazing. That, to me, is huge," she adds, referring to department heads William Ailā of Land and Natural Resources, Keali'i Lopez of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Alapaki Na-hale-a of Hawaiian Home Lands, and Kalbert Young of Budget and Finance. Topping hopes she's setting an example that inspires other Hawaiians to think, "Wow, I ean do that too." She grew up in the Keaukaha Hawaiian homesteads, graduated from Hilo High School and the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her only advantage was that her Hawaiian mother gained pride during the cultural shift in the 1970s and passed it on to her children, while her Caucasian father taught her to be uncompromising in her ideals. She ended up in human resources by ehanee, discovered she

was good at it and stuck with it. Her last job was at the Native Hawaiian-owned and -operated telecommunications firm Sandwieh Isles Communications, where she worked with other Hawaiian professionals for the first time. "It was a really energizing experience ... seeing what Hawaiians are capahle of doing and helping other Hawaiians." Hawaiians, like the state workers, need to feel respected, appreciated and encouraged to take part in the state's eeonomie and workforce development initiatives. "Everyone needs to understand that in this state, if the native population is not well, then the state is sick," she states. Tlūs is the second in a series of profi!es of newh' confirmed Native Hawaiian leaders in the Abercrombie administration. Next month: Keali'i Lopez, Director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. M Treena Shapiro, a freelance writer, is aformer reporter for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and Honolulu Advertiser.

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Sunshine Topping's Hawaiian mother gained pride during the cultural shift in the 1 970s and passed it on to her children; Topping's Caucasian father taught her to be uncompromising in her ideals. - Photo: LisaAsato