A prominent Wisconsin lawyer who also is licensed to practice in Hawai'i has been named the Islands' new chief elections officer.

Kevin B. Cronin, who was named by the state Elections Commission following what it said was a nationwide search, will take over the post in February, the Office of Elections announced this week.

Rex Quidilla was the office's spokesman when he was named interim elections chief after Dwayne Yoshina decided earlier this year against applying for another term.

Yoshina's decision ended a contentious tenure.

He was appointed to the post in 1995 when the Legislature made the Office of Elections independent from the lieutenant governor's office.

Gov. Linda Lingle and fellow Republicans were critical of Yoshina's handling of elections for several years. Some Democrats also questioned his ability to communicate effectively with the public on election matters.

Yoshina weathered much of the criticism and was reappointed twice by the elections commission, but apparently lost support for another appointment.

Cronin has more than 30 years of government experience.

Most recently, he served as assistant general counsel for the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.

He earned his law degree at the University of Wisconsin after receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He also holds master's degrees in history, as well as public policy and administration, from the University of Wisconsin.

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