COLUMBIA, S.C. >> Former Hawaii Department of Human Services director Lillian Koller has been chosen to lead South Carolina’s cash-strapped Department of Social Services.

Gov. Nikki Haley announced today that she nominated Koller to lead the agency that oversees children’s welfare.

Koller, 55, served as director of DHS since 2003 under former Gov. Linda Lingle. She said she accepted the South Carolina job because she was impressed by Haley.

Her first priority is dealing with the agency’s gaping budget hole, Koller said. The agency is asking to run a $29 million deficit for the fiscal year ending June 30.

Koller is Haley’s eighth Cabinet pick and the nomination is subject to state Senate confirmation.