Honolulu City Council confirms a slate of department heads and commission appointees

The Honolulu City Council on Feb. 18, 2025, adopted a package of committee reports and resolutions confirming nominees to city departments and commissions, with most measures approved by unanimous roll call votes of 9-0.

The confirmations included managerial and advisory positions across city government: Mike Formby as Managing Director; Andrew T. Quano as Director of Budget and Fiscal Services; Laura H. Thielen as Director of Parks and Recreation; Dana Viola as Corporation Counsel; Nola Miyazaki as Director of Human Resources; Don E. Takeuchi Opuna as Director of Planning and Permitting; Kimberly M. Hashiro as Director of Customer Services; Masahiko Kobayashi as Medical Examiner; Dida D. Simeona (also cited as Dita Holyfield) as Director of Enterprise Services; Brian C. McKee as Director of Information Technology; Clark L.K. Bright as band director; and several commission appointments and reappointments including Jamie Tanimoto to the Clean Water/Natural Lands Advisory Commission and a slate of appointees to the 2025 Charter Commission.

Why it matters: The confirmed nominees will lead agencies that manage core city services—budget, planning, parks, public records and customer services, enterprise revenue-generating operations and technology—shaping implementation priorities for the mayor’s term and the council’s oversight agenda.

Most of the confirmations were introduced as motions tied to committee reports and proceeded without extended debate. Many nominees appeared at the dais or logged in remotely to offer brief remarks. Committee sponsors named movers for each motion on the floor; roll-call votes recorded nine “ayes” for the…