Two days after announcing the resignation of Wil Okabe as county managing director, Mayor Harry Kim tabbed Roy Takemoto as Okabe’s replacement, effective Dec. 2.
Takemoto, 65, who has served as an executive assistant to Kim since 2016 and worked in Kim’s previous administration between 2000-2008, will have a confirmation hearing Dec. 4 before the County Council.
“Roy has been an indispensable member of my cabinet, and I have complete confidence that he will serve admirably as managing director,” Kim said Wednesday in a statement. “I’m really grateful that he’s taking on this important job.”
The managing director serves as acting mayor whenever the mayor is off island or unable to fulfill his duties.
Takemoto was a private planning consultant prior to 2000 and after 2008. He has bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and environmental studies, a master’s degree in urban and regional planning and a law degree from the University of Hawaii’s William S. Richardson School of Law.
Takemoto was raised near Wahiawa, Oahu, and in 1991 he quit his job working for a hotel developer, married a Hilo girl and moved to Hilo to be among his wife’s and mother’s families. He has a grown son who’s a software developer in Washington state.
Kim also announced that Maurice Messina, currently deputy director of Parks and Recreation, will move into Takemoto’s executive assistant position effective Dec. 2. James Komata, currently serving as park planner, will be appointed Parks and Rec deputy director, also effective Dec. 2.