Pause named director of Public Works

Hawaii County announced today that Stephen Pause will serve as the new director of the Department of Public Works.

Pause has served as acting director of the department for the last two months, and was appointed deputy director in May 2021. Previously, he was an engineer for the Department of Environmental Management.

“Director Pause has proven himself extremely qualified for this position and has shown a keen ability to lead the department during this time of transition,” Mayor Mitch Roth said in a statement. “Through his mix of professional and life experiences, we believe Steve is best suited to tackle the issues at hand, including improving building permitting, amplifying infrastructure repair and maintenance and bolstering capitol improvement projects … .”

Pause said in a statement that his priorities for the department are to continue the Building Division’s efforts to improve the permitting process through the EPIC system, as well as attracting additional talent to the department and improving public communication.

“I am honored to assume the role of director for DPW,” Pause said. “I look forward to the opportunity to lead a talented team that is tasked with improving and maintaining county infrastructure and seeing that minimum design and construction requirements are followed to ensure safe and resilient structures.”

The previous Public Works director, Ikaika Rodenhurst, left the department unexpectedly in mid-June after 18 months in office, leaving Pause to fill the void left by his absence.