Gov. Ige Appoints New Budget and Finance Director

Gov. David Ige has appointed Laurel Johnston to serve as the director of the Hawai‘i Department of Budget and Finance. Courtesy photo.

Gov. David Ige has appointed Laurel Johnston to serve as the director of the Hawai‘i Department of Budget and Finance.

She has served as acting director since the recent retirement of Wesley Machida, and was the deputy director at the Department of Budget and Finance prior to Machida’s departure.

During her 30-year career in Hawai‘i, Johnston has served as: Gov. Ige’s deputy chief of staff; director of the University of Hawai‘i’s Budget Office; assistant Senate clerk with the Hawai‘i State Senate; executive director of Hawai‘i Uninsured Project; assistant superintendent of the Hawai‘i Department of Education, Planning, Budget and Resource Development Office; staff director, Hawai‘i Senate Judiciary Committee; senior legislative researcher, Hawai‘i Senate Majority Office; legislative analyst, Office of the Auditor, State of Hawai‘i.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to continue serving the people of Hawai‘i as I have for three decades,” said Johnston. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve under Gov. Ige and will work collaboratively to manage our state’s fiscal resources.”

Johnston earned a Master of Science degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology, both from Florida State University.