Mayor Harry Kim announced that Sharon L. Hirota is the county’s new administrator of the Office of Housing and Community Development, effective Oct. 1.
Hirota, a graduate of Kamehameha Schools who attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo, joined the Office of Housing and Community Development in 2002. For 16 years she managed the Existing Housing Division, which is responsible for the management of federal, state, county and private grants that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income persons.
Hirota developed and implemented the county’s Financial Initiative Program, which connects community members to free financial counseling services. She also has represented the county on the local and state Continuum of Care Executive Committee, and facilitates the county’s Coordinated Entry System to address homelessness.
Duane Hosaka continues as assistant housing administrator.
Barett Otani, a veteran public relations specialist, joined Kim’s office as an executive assistant on Aug. 1, as the administration tackles an array of challenges, including recovery efforts amid the lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kilauea.
Otani, who had served as the public relations specialist for the Department of Public Works since 2015, will assist with projects such as economic development initiatives, building permit streamlining and affordable housing.
Kim noted that Otani has worked at Waiakea Elementary School as the school activities coordinator and also served as substitute teacher. Otani also was the owner of a food distribution business for more than 20 years, the producer of KTA’s “Living in Paradise” TV program for the past 19 years.