Mayor-elect announces additional appointments

Hawaii County Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda this afternoon announced the selection of additional cabinet members as he prepares to take office at noon Dec. 2.

These appointments include the selection of directors for the departments of Planning, Finance and Parks and Recreation, in addition to other members of his executive team.

“I could not be more proud of our team and those who have stepped forward to serve,” Alameda said in a press release. “I am confident that each of these individuals will bring a tremendous work ethic to their departments and roles, will lead with aloha, and will work in partnership with our communities to help uplift Hawaii Island.”

Selected directors and deputy directors are:

Jeffrey Darrow: Planning Director

Darrow has held multiple leadership positions within the county’s Planning Department, where he currently serves as deputy director. During his 26-year career with the department, he has also served as planning program manager, planner and zoning inspector.

Michelle Ahn: Planning Deputy Director

Ahn is an attorney who has served the Planning Department as a deputy corporation counsel since 2023. In this role, she has represented the department in hearings before the State Land Use Commission, prosecuted code enforcement actions, and provided legal training for department staff.

Clayton Honma: Parks and Recreation Director

Honma returns to the Parks and Recreation Department which he led as director from 2012-2016. Prior to that appointment, he was the department’sdeputy director from 2009-2012. Honma is currently a program planner for the county’s Office of Aging where he oversees all contracts for services.

Melissa Samura: Parks and Recreation Deputy Director

Samura is an active community leader and youth coach with more than 20 years of experience in educational counseling, recreation management, customer service and program coordination.

Diane Nakagawa: Finance Director

Nakagawa has served as finance director since January 2024 after serving as the deputy finance director since 2022 and purchasing agent since 2019. Prior to joining the county, she spent 16 years at the City of Phoenix, primarily specializing in economic development and budget administration.

Malia Kekai: Finance Deputy Director

Kekai is an attorney who has served as the county’s Public Works deputy director since 2022. At Public Works, she assists with the administration of department divisions and staff, enforcement of the construction code, and supervision of county buildings.

Appointments of department directors are subject to approval from the County Council.

Alameda’s executive assistants and areas of responsibility are:

Tom Callis: Communications Director

Callis brings about 17 years of experience in journalism and public relations to the Mayor’s Office. From 2012-2019, he covered county government, the state Legislature and major local events as a reporter for the Tribune-Herald.

Tracey Niimi: Social Media and Electronic Communications

Niimi is an award-winning photographer and videographer. He is a Co-founder of Abstract Collab, and operates TN Photography/Tracey Niimi & Co.

Erin Samura: Health, Equity and Human Services

Samura is a clinical pharmacist for the Hawaii Island Community Health Center and volunteer for the Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force.

Clifford Victorine III: Public Safety, Complaints and Events

Victorine has served as a claims investigator/adjustor for the Office of the Corporation Counsel since 2013. He is a former county police officer, security officer and Army Reservist.

Micah Alameda: Boards and Commissions, Volunteers, and Inter-faith relations

Alameda is a local consultant who focuses on public and government relations and social sector programs. He previously served as a nonprofit executive and legislative aide at the state and county levels.

Malia Louis: Sister City Coordinator and West Hawaii and Legislative Affairs

Louis brings more than 25 years of experience in leadership, operations and community engagement, and is committed to advancing the well-being of the Hawaiian community and the people of Hawaii.

Amy Toafili: West Hawaii Administrative Support

Toafili is an experienced office and administrative manager. She is currently the office manager for JC Tax Solutions and previously worked for Hawaii CDL & Safety Programs and Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance.

Pualililehua Carriaga: Executive Secretary to the Mayor

Carriaga is currently the Mohala Family Center Director for the Big Island Substance Abuse Council. She previously was an administrative assistant for the Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force and executive assistant for Bay Clinic.

Emarie Carvalho: Executive Secretary to the Managing Director

Carvalho is a paralegal at The Law Offices of Robert Marx focusing on civil litigation. She started at the Office of the Corporation Counsel in 2007 as a Legal Clerk and worked her way up to her current position as division head of the clerical staff.

On Nov. 8, Alameda announced the selection of Bill Brilhante as managing director and Merrick Nishimoto as deputy managing director.