Alameda announces additional appointments
Hawaii County Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda, who will be sworn-in at noon Monday, announced Friday the selection of administrators to lead four additional departments and offices.
These appointments include the directors and deputy directors for the Department of Environmental Management, Department of Research and Development, and Office of Housing and Community Development, plus the administrator for the Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience.
“I am excited to continue to grow our team, and I am confident in the skills and experience that each of these leaders brings to the county,” Alameda said. “With these appointees in place, we will work hard to improve our wastewater and solid waste infrastructure, grow our economy, expand affordable housing and support sustainability across Hawaii Island.”
Department directors are appointed by the Mayor and will face confirmation by the County Council. The selected directors, deputy directors, and administrators are:
Wesley Segawa: Department of Environmental Management Director
Segawa has decades of experience in engineering, administration, and project management. He began his professional career as an engineer with Hawaiian Dredging and Construction Company and later established Wesley R. Segawa and Associates Inc., focusing on public and private engineering and construction management projects.
Craig Kawaguchi: Department of Environmental Management
Acting Deputy Director Kawaguchi has served as the county’s recycling coordinator since 2022 and was the county Supervisor of the Year in 2024. He previously served as an executive assistant under Mayor Billy Kenoi and recycling specialist, assisting with the start of the HI-5 recycling program on Hawaii Island. Kawaguchi will serve as acting deputy director until a permanent appointment is made.
Kehaulani Costa: Office of Housing and Community Development Director
Costa has worked for the county as a housing planning specialist and division manager for the Office of Housing and Community Development’s Existing Housing Division, which administers the federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program. Costa has decades of experience in nonprofit management, education, and housing policy advocacy.
Keiko Mercado: Office of Housing and Community Development Deputy Director
Mercado has dedicated her career to serving the people of Hawaii Island. This commitment has shaped her approach to government work, driving a passion for creating solutions that directly benefit residents and strengthen the fabric of local communities.
Benson Medina: Department of Research and Development Director
Medina has served at an executive level in tourism, manufacturing, natural resource development, agricultural tourism and community education. Medina is also president of Hui ‘Oihana, the Hawaii Island Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, and is the district governor nominee for Rotary International in Hawaii. He directed the islandwide 2022 Access to Care survey that provides critical data for healthcare providers on Hawaii Island and was the principal grant writer and project manager for the Hawaii Ag-Tourism Association. Medina is a member of Hula Halau O Kawananakoa and speaks frequently on the relationship between Native Hawaiian values and business.
Dennis Lin: Department of Research and Development Deputy Director
Lin was recently employed as the community relations administrator for HPM Building Supply, where he managed their community outreach and government relations. He has served as chairman of the Windward Planning Commission and on numerous community boards and councils. Lin is vice president and economic development chairman of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce and and member of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii.
Laura Acasio: Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience Administrator
Acasio is a former state senator and public schoolteacher. She currently serves on the county’s Environmental Management Commission and is a member of numerous nonprofit boards, including the governing board for Ka Umeke Ka‘eo Hawaiian Immersion Public Charter School and Hui ‘Oihana Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce. Acasio will start the position on Feb. 1.
