GOVERNOR GREEN ANNOUNCES NEW CABINET NOMINEES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

Office of the Governor News Release, May 5, 2023

HONOLULU, HI  ̶  Governor Josh Green, M.D. today announced James Kunane Tokioka to serve as the Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT). A former member of the Kaua‘i County Council and Hawai‘i State House of Representatives, Tokioka worked his way through the hotel industry, both here in Hawai‘i and across the United States.

Governor Green said, “Director Tokioka is stepping up to help move foward important priorities for the state. He will immediately hit the ground running and foster collaboration amongst the various attached agencies at DBEDT.”

Tokioka was previously the Director of the Airports Division.  His nomination is subject to Advice and Consent of the Senate.

The Department of Transportation is expected to announce Tokioka’s replacement at the Airports Division in the coming days.

Outgoing nominee, Chris Sadayasu, will return to the Department of the Attorney General.

The search for the next Director of the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development (OPSD) will continue in the coming weeks. Governor Green is committed to finding another qualified candidate who exemplifies the commitment to public service and the duties of the office, including land use, transit-oriented development, coastal zone management, climate adaptation, and other planning requirements for Hawaiʻi. In the meantime, current administrator Mary Alice Evans will serve as Acting Director of OPSD.

Scott Glenn, outgoing nominee for OPSD, will take some time off to spend with family and will return to help the administration work on climate and environmental solutions.

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Star-Adv Best Comment: "Green already shared with legislators that Tokioka's replacement as DOT Airports Deputy will be Ford Fuchigami. Fuchigami was the former Chief of Staff for David Ige, and also a former DOT Director, Airports Deputy and Airports Administrator. Fuchigami has most recently been working in the Senate as an Aide to Ways & Means Chair Donovan Dela Cruz."

SA: Round 2 on new DBEDT director

Dec, 2022: Green appointed veteran Kauai state Rep. James Tokioka to serve as deputy director for the airports division of the state Department of Transportation.

March, 2023: Dela Cruz Manipulation? Senate Rejects Green's Pick for DBEDT -- Green's pick for #2 at DBEDT is Dane Wicker, a current business partner and former chief of staff to Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz.

March, 2023: Nominee for State Planning Director responsible for Oahu’s High Electricity Costs