Rodenhurst out after Public Works leadership shakeup

Ikaika Rodenhurst is no longer director of the county Department of Public Works, the county announced today.

According to a news release, Rodenhurst — who was appointed to the director seat in early 2021 — vacated Public Works’ leadership position on Monday, with Deputy Director Steven Pause named as “the primary point of contact for the department until a new director is named.”

“We would like to thank Ikaika for his service and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” Mayor Mitch Roth said in the news release. “Our administration remains committed to helping our community thrive and succeed, and through that, we will continue to work diligently to address the issues surrounding our building permitting process. We understand that our folks rely on a consistent flow of permits to keep food on their tables and roofs over their heads, and we are dedicated to ensuring that they have every opportunity to do just that.”

No further information about the circumstances of Rodenhurst’s departure were immediately forthcoming.

In addition, the county announced that Julann Sonomura has been named acting chief of DPW’s Building Division, and Neal Tanaka was named as acting deputy building chief.

See Wednesday’s Tribune-Herald for more.