Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie has appointed three interim members to the state Land Use Commission, allowing the board in charge of administering the state land use law to resume conducting official business.

The commission’s work came to a standstill in July when four members resigned and another’s term ended. At least two of the resignations were prompted by concerns regarding a new law requiring disclosure of personal financial interests.

The appointees include Brandon Ahakuelo from Honolulu, a director at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1260; Kent Hiranaga from Paia, Maui, who is president of Maui Kai Realty; and Arnold Wong from Aiea, government affairs director at the Ironworkers Union Stabilization Fund, Local 625. While the appointments are effective immediately, they are subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

鈥淭he Land Use Commission can resume business thanks to Brandon, Kent and Arnold鈥檚 commitment to public service,鈥 Abercrombie said in a press release. 鈥淓ach brings a unique background of experience that will inform land use decisions in the interest of the people of Hawaii.鈥

Here are descriptions of Ahakuelo, Hiranaga and Wong from the governor’s press release:

Office of the Governor

Brandon Ahakuelo of Honolulu currently serves as director of organizing and training for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1260. Previously, he was a substation technician for Potomac Electric Power Company in Washington, D.C. from 2007 to 2012 and a meter reader for Nevada Power Company (NV Energy) in Las Vegas from 2004 to 2007. A graduate of Damien Memorial School, Ahakuelo is a Hawaii Air National Guard veteran who served in Operations Enduring Freedom, Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom.

Office of the Governor

Kent Hiranaga, a resident of Paia, was born and raised on Maui. He has served as a member of a board or commission for more than 15 years, including on the Maui Planning Commission from 2007 to 2013, the Maui Board of Water Supply from 2001 to 2006, and the Maui Board of Variances and Appeals from 1996 to 2001. Hiranaga has been president of Maui Kai Realty since 2001. He was previously employed by A&B Properties, Inc., Valley Isle Drapery, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company, and General Electric. Hiranaga attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa and graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Maui Country Club.

Office of the Governor

Arnold Wong, a resident of Aiea, is currently government affairs director for the Ironworkers Union Stabilization Fund, Local 625. He was previously government grants manager for The Nature Conservancy. Wong has extensive volunteer experience, serving as a Honolulu Fire Commissioner, trustee for the Ironworkers Union Trust Fund, campaign committee member for Malama Learning Center, coordinating committee member for the U.S. Department of Justice Weed and Seed Program, member of the Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness, and board member for the St. Francis Foundation as well as Poi Dogs and Popoki. He is a graduate of University of Hawaii at Manoa and Hawaii Pacific University.

Support Independent, Unbiased News

Civil Beat is a nonprofit, reader-supported newsroom based in 贬补飞补颈驶颈. When you give, your donation is combined with gifts from thousands of your fellow readers, and together you help power the strongest team of investigative journalists in the state.

 

About the Author