MAYOR-ELECT KIMO ALAMEDA ANNOUNCES FIRST APPOINTMENTS
Nov. 8, 2024
MAYOR-ELECT KIMO ALAMEDA ANNOUNCES FIRST APPOINTMENTS
HILO, Hawaii – Incoming County of Hawaii Mayor Kimo Alameda announces the selection of Bill
Brilhante as Managing Director and Merrick Nishimoto as Deputy Managing Director following
his win in the Nov. 5 general election.
Both have held leadership positions in the County, with Brilhante previously serving as Human
Resources Director and Nishimoto previously serving as Public Works Deputy Director.
“I am excited to welcome Bill Brilhante and Merrick Nishimoto to our leadership team,” Alameda
said. “They have served under multiple County administrations and bring a wealth of experience
from the public and private sectors. I know they will work tirelessly to bring positive change for
the whole island.”
Brilhante, an attorney who resides in Hilo, was County Human Resources Director from
September 2017 until June 2021 after serving as Human Resources Deputy Director from
November 2016.
Born in Honokaa, Brilhante additionally served as Deputy Corporation Counsel for the County,
was a Deputy Attorney General for the State of Hawaii, worked as a County Firefighter, and was
the Assistant Regional Counsel for the Social Security Administration in San Francisco.
Nishimoto is currently the Development Manager for the Hawaii Island Community Development
Corporation. He resides in Kealakekua where he was born and raised.
Nishimoto previously worked in the Public Works Department for more than 12 years, serving in
the positions of Civil Engineer and Deputy Director. In total, he has more than 24 years of
experience in project development, operations, and personnel management.
Alameda beat incumbent Mitch Roth with about 55% of the vote and majorities in nearly every
precinct across Hawaii Island. In addition to making these appointments, he hit the ground
running on Wednesday by returning emails from constituents and finalizing his 100-day plan.
Alameda and other elected County officials will be inaugurated on Dec. 2. Prior to the
inauguration, he will be selecting other members of his cabinet, including department directors
who are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the County Council.
These include the heads of the departments of Public Works; Environmental Management;
Parks & Recreation; Planning; Research & Development; Office of Housing & Community
Development; Finance; Information Technology; Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and
Resilience; and Corporation Counsel. Other department administrators are either civil servants,
elected, such as the Prosecuting Attorney, or appointed by a commission.
Alameda said that existing department directors and staff in the Mayor’s Office may also be
considered for positions. Anyone interested in applying for an appointed position needs to send
their resume to connect@kimoformayor.com by Friday, Nov. 15
