County committee advances Laura Ocasio nomination to lead new sustainability office despite one dissent

Laura Ocasio, Mayor Kimo Alameda's nominee to lead the Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity and Resilience (OSCAR), won a favorable recommendation from the Hawaii County Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs on Feb. 4 and will go to the full council for final confirmation.

The committee voted to close file on Communication 97 and forward the appointment with a favorable recommendation; the roll call recorded eight votes in favor and one opposed. Council member Kimball announced she could not support the nomination on grounds that, in her view, Ocasio did not meet some of the job’s specified experience thresholds in county code.

The nomination drew extensive public testimony in support. Several residents, nonprofit representatives and members of conservation groups told the committee they had worked with Ocasio and praised her community experience. Debbie Hecht said, "My name is Debbie Hecht, and I'm testifying in favor of the appointment of Laura Ocasio as administrator of the Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience." Chuck Flaherty, speaking for the Hawaii Island Group of the Sierra Club of Hawaii, described Ocasio as an "experienced knowledgeable educator, legislator, community organizer, and leader" and urged the committee to recommend confirmation.

Ocasio described her priorities and how she plans to operate if confirmed. "It's a privilege. It's a responsibility," she told members, and said the role would require prioritizing climate mitigation, resilience and equity while coordinating across county departments. She told the committee she planned to deepen relationships with departmental directors and community partners, pursue actionable items on waste diversion and cesspool conversion, and support localized food and energy strategies.

Several council members praised Ocasio’s community engagement and knowledge of county issues. Council member Villegas said Ocasio "executes, activates, embracing and uplifting" cultural knowledge in her work. Council member Kimball, who ultimately voted against the recommendation, said afterward that her objection was procedural: she did not see documentation establishing that Ocasio met particular technical and executive-experience elements spelled out in county code for the administrator role.

Corporation Counsel clarified for the committee that the statutory educational requirements cited in code were preferred rather than mandatory and that the committee retains discretion to determine whether a nominee meets the statutory list of experience or education via "education or employment." Renesh of Corporation Counsel told the committee the nomination was presented by the mayor’s office and that the mayor believes the nominee meets the requirements.

Several committee members urged Ocasio to use the interim between hearings to meet with them about district-specific priorities and implementation details. Members highlighted expectations such as standing up a sustainability advisory structure, working on Banyan Drive and coastal planning, addressing solid-waste and resource-recovery priorities, and exploring pilot electric vehicles for county fleets.

The motion to forward the nomination will appear on the full council agenda for final confirmation.

Votes at the committee were: 8 in favor, 1 opposed; Council member Kimball cast the lone dissent.