Committee advances mayor's cabinet nominations, forwards confirmations to full council

The Hawaii County Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs on Jan. 7 voted to forward a slate of mayoral cabinet nominations to the full County Council with favorable recommendations.

Mayor Kimo Alameda presented each nominee and described his aim to draw local talent with experience across county departments. The nominees included Corey K. Stone for director of Information Technology; Wesley Seagawa for director of Environmental Management; Clayton Hanma for director of Parks and Recreation; Jeffrey W. Darrow for director of Planning; Renee N.C. Schoen for corporation counsel; William V. Brillante Jr. for managing director; Diane Nakagawa for director of Finance; Benson P. Medina for director of Research and Development (economic development); and Hugh Y. Ono for director of Public Works. Committee members and public testifiers repeatedly praised nominees’ experience, local ties and technical competence.

Corey K. Stone told the committee his early priorities would be improving internet and public Wi‑Fi access at parks and recreation…