Water Board Names Okamoto DWS Chief Engineer

Keith Okamoto, Professional Engineer and Big Island resident of 19 years, was named Manager-Chief Engineer of the Department of Water Supply.

Okamoto was unanimously chosen by the Water Board at its monthly meeting.

“After extensive interviews, the Water Board selected the best candidate for the position,” board Chairman Rick Robinson said.

In 1996, Okamoto began his work with the Water Resources and Planning Branch of the Engineering Division. He later went on to become supervisor of the Water Quality Assurance and Control Branch in the Engineering Division in 2000. The department worked to ensure that the DWS was compliant with the rules of the Safe Drinking Water Act. In Okamoto’s role within the branch, he represented the department as a liason with the State of Hawai’i regulating authority, the Safe Drinking Water Branch of the Department of Health.

After serving as supervisor for three years, Okamoto was promoted to Assistant Engineering Division Head in 2003. In this role, he served duties that include budget and personnel needs. While Assistant Engineering Division Head, Okamoto was assigned to oversee the status of the Department’s CIP projects and professional services procurement. His most recent role as Deputy to Quirino Antonio, Jr. was confirmed in in 2012.

Okamoto was offered a starting salary of $110,000 a year.