Gov. Ige Appoints Three Department Leaders

Governor David Ige is continuing to fill positions in his Cabinet.

Ige announced Friday that he has appointed leaders to head the Hawai’i Board of Agriculture, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Jobie Masagatani will keep her position as the director of DHHL, as well as chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Masagatani has held the post since 2012. She previously served as the DHHL deputy director from 1995 to 2002.

William Aila Jr., former chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and head of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, will become the DHHL deputy director.

Scott Enright will also hold on to his post as the Board of Agriculture chairperson, a position he has had since the beginning of this year. Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser will join Enright as deputy director.

Catherine Awakuni Colón will take on a new role in the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, becoming its new director. Colón has been the cable administrator in the department’s Cable Television Division, and previously held the title of executive director of the Division of Consumer Advocacy.

Jo Ann Uchida Takeuchi will remain the deputy director of the DCCA. She has held that position since 2012.

“All of these appointees display a leadership style that will move Hawai’i forward for the benefit of the public interest,” said Gov. Ige in a statement. “There is hard work to be done and together we will address the issues facing our state in a direct and forthright manner.”

Catherine Awakuni Colón, director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Courtesy photo.

Jo Ann Uchida Takeuchi, deputy director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Courtesy photo.

Board of Agriculture chairperson Scott Enright. Courtesy photo.

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands deputy director William Aila Jr. Courtesy photo.

Board of Agriculture deputy director Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser. Courtesy photo.

Jobie Masagatani, chair of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Courtesy photo.