Lau Steps Down from Managing Director Post, Announces Mayoral Run

Wally Lau campaign photo.

Hawai’i County is out of a Managing Director following Wally Lau’s decision to resign from the position on Thursday.

The resignation came on the same day that Lau, 67, announced he is running for Hawai’i County Mayor.

“I did not want any perception of a conflict of interest, or that 100 percent of my energies are not being invested in my job,” Lau said. “By resigning, I am able to focus my campaign by meeting with people and sharing with them my values and my vision.”

In his role as Managing Director and former Deputy Managing Director at the county level for the past seven years, Lau has assisted in the management of the County’s daily operations.

Issues of public safety and disaster preparedness, homelessness, affordable housing, business climate improvement, efficiency of the county permitting process, maintenance of county facilities and properties, solid waste operation, renewable energy projects that would provide lower rates for consumers without environmental tradeoffs, and diversified agriculture are among the items Lau says he is prepared to address in his campaign.

Lau, an Oahu-native, returned to the Big Island to reconnect with the home of his ancestors. He graduated from Damien High School in 1967 and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Central Washington State College.