Governor Appoints C. Mike Kido and Yvonne Lau to His Executive Team

News Release from Office of the Governor September 24, 2013

Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced two additions to his executive staff: C. Mike Kido as legislative advisor, effective immediately, and Yvonne W.M. Lau as education policy analyst, effective Oct. 1.

“Mike and Yvonne will be immense assets to this administration in moving our state forward from recovery to expansion,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “Mike has a long, distinguished career in government affairs in Hawaii, including issues at the county, state and federal levels critical to our state. Yvonne’s extensive experience at the state Department of Education, including serving as a driving force to implement Hawaii’s Race to the Top initiatives, will prove invaluable as we work toward transforming education policy.”

C. Mike Kido

Kido most recently served as administrative assistant to the director of the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), where he successfully worked with DCCA leadership and divisions on priority legislative package initiatives. From 2006 to 2012, Kido was the director of external affairs for Pacific Resource Partnership and, from 1990 to 2006, government affairs manager for The Estate of James Campbell. Prior to that, he was vice president of public affairs for Hawaiian Cement, director of public affairs for Lone Star Hawaii, Inc., and research analyst for the Hawaii State Senate Legislative Reference Bureau Economic Development Committee.

Kido has an enduring commitment to supporting the community through volunteer efforts, including those with Pacific Health Ministry, Hale Kipa, Building Industry Association of Hawaii, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Construction Labor Alliance, and Ahahui Siwila O Kapolei. Most recently, Mike served on the 2011 Honolulu Council Reapportionment Commission and the Honolulu City Council’s Neighborhood Board Task Force. 

A graduate of Iolani School, Kido earned a bachelor of business administration degree in marketing research from the Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. He later conducted graduate study as part of the University of Hawaii College of Business Administration Center for Executive Development Hawaii Management Program, and is a graduate of the Lone Star Management Institute Management Development Program.

Yvonne W.M. Lau

Lau most recently served at the state Department of Education, where she successfully worked as the acting director of the Office of Human Resources Professional Development Branch. From 2010 to 2013, Lau was the lead project manager for Hawaii’s Race to the Top initiatives relating to the Educator Effectiveness System and also served as the administrator of the Performance Management Section. She previously worked as a personnel specialist at the Office of Human Resources in the Labor Relations Section and as a supervisor and investigator with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission.

Lau has been actively involved with the community, including the Hawaii Women Lawyers, Japanese American Citizens League, and Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, as well as Hawaii Civil Rights Art Contest. Lau is a founding member and former vice chair of the Patsy T. Mink Political Action Committee.

A graduate of Aiea High School, Lau earned a bachelor’s of business administration degree in finance from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a juris doctorate from the William S. Richardson School of Law.

Kido and Lau reside in Honolulu.