Ford Fuchigami is returning to the HART board, this time as a mayoral appointee.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell informed Council Chairman Ikaika Anderson Friday that he’s appointed Fuchigami, a former top deputy in Gov. David Ige’s office, to replace Ember Shinn.

Shinn served her last meeting on the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board this past Thursday.

It’s not Fuchigami’s first rodeo — he previously served on the local board overseeing Honolulu’s rail project as the state’s transportation director until 2017. Under city charter, the DOT director automatically serves as a HART board member. He left the post to join Ige’s inner circle as the governor’s administrative director.

He then left that post in May to return to the Department of Transportation as administrative services officer for the Airports Division.

Caldwell’s office declined to comment further Monday on Fuchigami’s appointment.

The former DOT head joins his successor, Jade Butay, on the volunteer 14-member body.

The board also includes three mayoral appointees and three City Council appointees. Fuchigami will fill the board’s mayoral vacancy. The Council, meanwhile, has yet to announce a replacement for its own looming vacancy, as Damien Kim leaves the board this summer.

Fuchigami’s latest term is slated to expire June 30 2024 — if HART still exists then.