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Office of the Mayor
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Mayor Stephen K. Yamashiro was born in
Honolulu and attended University Elementary School. He graduated from Punahou in 1959 and
the U.S. Army Artillery Officer's Candidate School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 1964. In 1965,
Mayor Yamashiro received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawaii and in
1969, he was awarded a law degree from Willamette University College of Law. He has served
as a State Deputy Attorney General, a County of Hawaii Deputy Corporation Counsel, and
Hearings Officer for the Hawaii Public Employment Relations Board. Mayor Yamashiro served
on the Hawaii County Council from 1976 to 1990, 11 of those years as Chairman. He became
Mayor of the County of Hawaii on December 7, 1992. He is married to Della E. Allison. |
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William G. Davis, Managing Director, was
born on Kauai and attended Cornell University. He was employed with Interisland Resorts
from 1957 to 1984 and managed the Naniloa Surf Hotel from 1966 to 1984 and the Kauai Surf
Hotel from 1984 to 1985. He then became Regional Vice President of Hemmeter Corporation
from 1984 to 1986. He was Senior Vice President of Hemmeter Partners from 1987 to
December, 1992, when he was appointed Hawaii County Managing Director. |
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Henry Cho, Deputy Managing Director, was
born and educated in Kona. He was employed with the State Department of Transportation,
South Kona Highways Division, for over 37 years and received several state and community
awards for his work. His family business is H. Cho Enterprises, Inc., specializing in
wholesaling and retailing of plumeria flowers and leis. He has been an active member of
the Kona Judo Club for 39 years, and also has been active in the South Kona Aloha Lions
Club and the South Kona Catholic Churches. Mr. Cho serves the County in the Kona Office. |
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Rudy Legaspi, Executive Assistant, was born
and educated in Hilo and attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo from 1958-1960. He
graduated from the University of Hawaii-Manoa Campus in 1962 with a Bachelor's degree in
personnel management. He served in the Hawaii National Guard and the U.S. Army. Mr.
Legaspi served as Hawaii County Legislative Auditor from 1969 to 1976 when he became
County Clerk, a position he held until January, 1989. He is a member and officer of
numerous community organizations. |
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Executive Assistant, Norman Olesen is an
engineer and former licensed contractor. He was educated at the Georgia Institute of
Technology in Atlanta, Georgia and Columbia University in New York City and holds a B.S.
degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Civil Engineering. Mr. Olesen spent
twenty-four years with Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation of Oakland, California
as an engineering manager and field project manager where he was responsible for the
construction, operation and maintenance of major plants in different parts of the country
as well as overseas. He and his wife Elisabeth are residents of Kehena in the Puna
district where they have participated in community activities such as the Neighborhood
Watch program and the Mayor's Parks and Recreation Committee for Puna. A U.S. Marine Corps
Korean Conflict Veteran, Mr. Olesen has been active with the Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Post 3830 and the Democratic Party on the Big Island. |
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Lohe Kaaloa, Executive Assistant, served
four years in the United States Marine Corps and was a construction project coordinator.
He has been the sole proprietor of Big Island Masonry, Inc. and a martial arts expert and
Panaewa farmer. He has been involved in many Hawaiian organizations and works with
Hawaiian groups on community projects. |
Photo not available
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Glenn
Y. Taguchi, Executive Assistant, is a 1965 graduate of Hilo High School. He
attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Sociology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1969. His career in government began
in 1970 as a Real Property Appraiser with the Department of Taxation, Real Property
Division. From 1977, he has held various positions with the Department of Land and Natural
Resources, Land Division until his appointment as an Executive Assistant on February 2,
1998. |
I. OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
ROLE AND DUTIES
The Office of the Mayor provides direction, leadership and
operational supervision for all Executive Branch departments and agencies and works in
conjunction with the County Council to develop and implement policies and programs. The
powers, duties and functions are authorized and described under Articles IV and V of the
County Charter.
The Mayor must ensure the enforcement of all provisions of the County
Charter, the ordinances of the County and all applicable laws.
A major responsibility is the development and submittal of an operating
budget, operating programs, capital improvement budget, capital improvement programs and
pay plans to the County Council in a timely manner as mandated by the County Charter.
It is also the responsibility of the Office of the Mayor to establish
and supervise boards, commissions and advisory committees.
The Mayor reviews and ensures the execution of County contracts and
other signed instruments.
As the Chief Executive Officer, the Mayor is the primary representative
of the County and/or its Executive Branch. The Mayor’s Office communicates County
programs and policy to the public and various levels and branches of government.
The Clerical Services Center provides secretarial, clerical and
administrative assistance to the Office of the Mayor and other County agencies, as well as
the Mayor’s Advisory Boards and Commissions, The Center assists the public with
information about government and other community services, receives and refers complaints,
issues disabled parking placards.
County Physicians advise on medical matters, render medical
opinions and conduct physical examinations as requested by the Mayor’s Office and
other agencies of the County.
The Immigration Information Specialist contacts and assists immigrants in the
County of Hawaii, and serves as liaison on immigration matters of broad community concern,
as well as individual problems of immigrants. The IIS provides assistance to any assigned
clients through the Multi-Purpose Center and the Hawaii County Services Center in
Kailua-Kona.
STAFF
The Office of the Mayor currently has two part-time and 12 full-time employees
including the Mayor and four Civil Service Employees of the Clerical Services Center.
Appointed Employees (co-terminous with the Mayor) are:
William G. Davis, Managing Director
Henry Cho, Deputy Managing Director
Rudy Legaspi, Executive Assistant
Lohe Kaaloa, Executive Assistant
Norman Olesen, Executive Assistant
Glenn Y. Taguchi, Executive Assistant
Janice M. Harvey, Executive Assistant
Marcia Reynolds, Public Relations Specialist
Myrleen Kaloi, Private Secretary to the Mayor
Margie Lee, Private Secretary to the Managing Director
Margarette Kanealii, Secretary
Lisa Rengulbai, Clerk III
Dr. Ernest L. Bade, County Physician
Dr. Alan C. DeSilva, Assistant County Physician
Dr. Curtis W. Lee, Assistant County Physician
Dr. James E. Mitchell, Assistant County Physician
Santiago Gose, Immigration Info Specialist
BUDGET
The Mayor’s Office operating budget for Fiscal Year 1999-00 was
$1,079,969. This included funding for the Clerical Services Center, the four County
Physicians, Committee on People with Disabilities, Committee on Children and Youth,
Committee on the Status of Women and the Family Violence Advisory Commission.
HIGHLIGHTS/ACTIVITIES
Clerical Services Center
Telephone Calls Received |
Complaints Received |
| County State
Federal
Others
TOTAL |
11,553
2,812
182
952
15,499 |
|
Civil
Defense
Civil Service
Corporation Counsel
County Clerk/Council
Finance
Fire
Housing
Liquor Control
Mass Transit
Mayor’s Office
Miscellaneous
Parks and Recreation
Planning
Police
Prosecuting Attorney
Public Works
Water Supply
State
TOTAL |
Received
0
0
2
0
4
0
3
0
4
1
0
12
10
12
3
36
0
1
85 |
Resolved
0
0
2
0
2
0
2
0
2
1
0
2
1
9
3
13
0
0
34 |
Disabled Parking Permits Issued |
|
Permanent |
Temporary |
| July August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
TOTAL |
176
169
148
160
165
160
139
166
181
145
165
148
1,922 |
73
49
46
52
64
47
71
52
57
57
65
49
682 |
BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
Committee on Children and Youth
This committee advises the Mayor on issues affecting the welfare and
development of Hawaii County’s young citizens. The committee is comprised of
appointed volunteers who work with youth of all ages, represent the public and private
sectors and live in different communities on the Big Island.
Seven committee meetings were held during Fiscal Year 1999-00.
In the area of young children, the committee oversees the Hawaii County
Child Care Coordinator position. This position is created through a grant from the state
and links the County of Hawaii to the Good Beginnings Alliance and the State’s Master
Plan for Early Childhood Education. The role of the coordinator includes the convening of
a community council to implement a five-year County plan. The council includes early
childhood professionals and stakeholders, and the plan was completed in May of 1997. The
coordinator position received a fourth year of funding.
In terms of adolescents, the Teen Voices subcommittee meets to address
the needs of our teen population including issues such as transportation, vocational
training, after school activities, and other topics generated by the subcommittee members
themselves. Members include youth and adults from Hilo, Waimea and Kona. The goal of this
group is to create a five-year County plan for teens and to interface with other teen
initiatives on the Big Island.
The third sub-committee is the Big Island America’s Promise
program. The goals of America’s Promise dovetail with the MCCY’s goals of
helping our youngsters become productive, healthy, contributing citizens with an emphasis
on community service.
Hawaii County, through members of the Committee on Children and Youth,
was represented during Fiscal Year 1999-00 on the following committees:
The Big Island Good Beginnings Alliance Community Council
The Good Beginnings Alliance Board of Directors
Hawaii Association for the Education of Young Children – Big Island Chapter
Hawaii Kids Count
America’s Promise – Big Island
Hawaii County Private Industry Council
Old Airport Park
Committee on People with Disabilities
The Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities is a volunteer
committee appointed by the Mayor to advise him on all matters related to people with
disabilities. The committee’s primary function is to review and make recommendations
and provide guidelines to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities in the
County of Hawaii.
The committee held nine meetings during Fiscal Year 1999-2000 and the
following are activities that occurred and accomplishments:
- The committee continues to provide disability education to children in elementary
schools by sponsoring "Kids on the Block" puppet performances both in East and
West Hawaii.
- The committee was instrumental in the passing of a County ordinance to establish a
volunteer disabled parking enforcement program.
- The committee continues to support and network with local disability advocacy groups in
their efforts to provide accessibility to people with disabilities.
- The committee developed a Transportation Handbook for local and neighbor island
residents as well as visitors to the community. The committee distributed 3,000 copies to
non-profit organizations, local and state government agencies and private businesses.
- The committee continues to recognize citizens and businesses in the community for their
outstanding work in the community involving people with disabilities. A recognition
certificate is awarded for their efforts in improving access in the community.
- The committee is continuing to be involved in the County’s Transition Plan and
Self-Evaluation for curb cuts and ramps, as well as Parks and Recreation programs.
- Improving public transportation is an ongoing concern as it affects the every day
activities of people with disabilities.
- The committee continues to work with County Parks and Recreation in an effort to create
access to the Summer Fun Program for children with disabilities.
- The committee continues their efforts to have the televised County Council meetings
broadcast with "real-time" captioning for the deaf and hearing-impaired
community.
- The committee encouraged the developer of a senior housing complex to include additional
accessible units for people with disabilities.
- The committee is currently assisting the community in its effort to achieve Disaster
Preparedness compliance for people with disabilities.
Committee on the Status of Women
As mandated by the Hawaii Revised Statutes, the County of Hawaii
Committee on the Status of Women advises the Mayor and the Hawaii State Commission on the
Status of Women on a wide range of women’s issues and concerns.
The committee continues to be a primary organizing force for the
Women’s Health Month on the Big Island. Offering a wide variety of speakers and
activities ranging from traditional Hawaiian healing to Zen meditation techniques to
cutting edge information on cancer, HIV infection, etc. Activities were held in Hilo,
Waimea, Kona, and Ka’u and programs offered information to the Big Island’s
diverse populace.
In conjunction with National Women’s History Month in the month of
March, the committee again sponsored its annual "Real Women" Creative Writing
competition. Working with the Department of Education, this project has students
acknowledge women who have influenced their lives.
Members of the committee were very active in the Legislative process.
In addition to educating themselves on the numerous and diverse issues confronting women,
committee members provided testimony by actually attending and speaking at various
legislative hearings, and in writing through e-mail and faxed testimonials. Members also
participated in helping to develop the State Commission’s legislative strategy.
The Hawaii County Committee on the Status of Women is committed to
continuing to fulfill its mission. Having stated this, members wish to acknowledge and
extend sincere appreciation to the Mayor and his administration for the continued support
which is instrumental in the committee’s ability to successfully advocate
Family Violence Advisory Commission
The Family Violence Advisory Commission (FVAC) is an advisory
commission created by Ordinance 97-111, and became effective on August 29. 1997.
This 11-member commission’s role is to advise the Mayor on issues
and concerns, which may prevent or reduce family domestic violence. It intends to promote
public awareness, encourage and facilitate inter-agency training and educate the community
at large on issues related to all aspects of family domestic violence.
Being a fairly new entity, its current goals are: (1) to secure
grant(s) to fund a coordinator’s position, and (2) publish and circulate an
informational brochure to include a directory of agencies available to service victims and
their families.
Emergency Medical Service Advisory Commission
The Emergency Medical Service Advisory Commission (EMSAC) was
established pursuant to Section 4-4 of the Hawaii County Charter for the purpose of
advising the Mayor on all matters relating to the establishment and operation of the
Emergency Medical Services Program.
This present 16-member commission is composed of consumers and
providers and strives to have representatives from the five island hospitals, base station
physicians, the military and the hotel industry.
Current successful efforts were: (1) increasing the personnel in the
fire dispatch office, and (2) the securing of additional funding for the increase
utilization of the air medical evacuation service.
Hawaii Redevelopment Agency
The Hawaii Redevelopment Agency (HRA) was established by Chapter 53 of
the Hawaii Revised Statutes and the County of Hawaii Resolution dated May 31, 1960.
The purpose of this five-member agency was to undertake redevelopment
plans and redevelopment projects in accordance to the mandates of Chapter 53. It was to
address the concerns arising from the April 1, 1960 tidal wave specifically around the
Hilo Bay area. (Kaiko’o Project)
Until 1996, HRA was assumed to have been abolished, however, by virtue
of a State Attorney General’s opinion, it had to be reactivated to continue to
oversee the Kaiko’o Project.
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