Gov. Ige Appoints Hoshijo to Labor Department Director

Leonard Hoshijo. Courtesy photo.

Hawai‘i Gov. David Ige has appointed Leonard Hoshijo to head the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, overseeing workforce development, unemployment insurance, workers compensation and occupational safety and health divisions. Hoshijo has served as DLIR’s deputy director since 2015 and acting director since Dec. 2017.

Prior to joining Gov. Ige’s administration, Hoshijo served as education and political director with the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters. He also worked for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union for 26 years, serving as house representative, organizer, international representative and international vice president.

Hoshijo has degrees from Antioch College in Ohio and the University of Hawaiʻi.

Hoshijo’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.