Council confirms Laura Ocasio to lead new sustainability office after debate over qualifications, funding and lawsuit

The Hawaii County Council confirmed Laura Ocasio as administrator of the Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity and Resilience (OSCAR) on Feb. 19, approving the nomination by a 9-0 vote.

Council members spent more than an hour questioning Ocasio and debating whether her background met a minimum-qualification clause the council had drafted for the post. Councilmember Heather Kimball said she drafted the qualifications to require experience “leading a major program in sustainability” and pressed whether Ocasio had managed budgets, staff and interagency coordination at that scale.

Ocasio acknowledged she has not yet been hired into the position and told the council she had not had occasion to assess every staff member’s skills in OSCAR because she has not formally started. She said the office currently has “at least three openings,” including a posted accounting/HR position she called “pivotal.” She also described the office’s roughly $840,000 budget as “not a big department.”

Kimball repeatedly raised concerns about federal grant management and procurement experience. “Leading a community garden for the Boys & Girls Club does not qualify in my mind for leading a major program,” Kimball said, citing the committee’s minimum-qualification language and legislative intent.

Ocasio responded that she brings a range of management experience, including time as a state legislator and as an educator, and that she planned to hire or contract for technical expertise where needed. “I have a running list already of…ideas for the council,” she said, adding that OSCAR would work with county departments, the mayor’s office and state partners to pursue funding and programs.

Members also asked about a civil lawsuit. Ocasio confirmed she is one of eight plaintiffs in litigation seeking clarification of state legislative procedures and said the matter is “not personal” and unlikely to require heavy time commitments in the short term. “My relationships with all of the members are as standing because this is not personal,” she told the council.

Supporters said Ocasio’s community connections and willingness to press for accountability were assets for the new office. Councilmember Villegas said Ocasio’s willingness to sign on to the governance lawsuit reflected courage and a commitment to good government. Several members said OSCAR should persist even if federal funding streams shift, and discussed the need to seek state or local financing.

After discussion, the council voted to close the file on the nomination and confirm Ocasio. The motion to confirm was moved by Councilmember Villegas and seconded by Councilmember Kalimba. Roll call recorded nine ayes; the nomination was approved.

The council and Ocasio discussed next steps: a near-term procurement schedule connected to an energy efficiency block grant, a facilities condition assessment and immediate training needs for staff. Ocasio said she would prioritize hiring or contracting for technical expertise in finance and energy and that she had already begun outreach to local subject-matter experts.

The confirmation completes the council’s appointment process for the OSCAR administrator; the office will now move into hiring and grant-implementation work described during the hearing. Councilmembers said they expect ongoing engagement between OSCAR, the council and county departments as the office refines staffing and program priorities.