MAYOR-ELECT KIMO ALAMEDAFILLS KEY POSITIONS AHEAD OFINAUGURATION

MAYOR-ELECT KIMO ALAMEDAFILLS KEY POSITIONS AHEAD OFINAUGURATION
HILO, Hawai‘i– Hawai‘i County Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda, who will be sworn-in at noon
Monday, announces the selection of administrators to lead four additional departments and
offices.
These appointments include the directors and deputy directors for the Department of
Environmental Management, Department of Research and Development, and Office of Housing
and Community Development, and the administrator for the Office of Sustainability, Climate,
Equity, and Resilience.
“I am excited to continue to grow our team, and I am confident in the skills and experience that
each of these leaders brings to the County,” Alameda said. “With these appointees in place, we
will work hard to improve our wastewater and solid waste infrastructure, grow our economy,
expand affordable housing, and support sustainability across Hawai‘i Island.”
Department directors are appointed by the Mayor and will face confirmation by the County
Council. Selected directors, deputy directors, and administrators are:
Wesley Segawa: Department of Environmental Management Director
Wesley Segawa holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree
in Civil Engineering from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and has decades of experience in
engineering, administration, and project management.
He began his professional career as an engineer with Hawaiian Dredging and Construction
Company and later established Wesley R. Segawa and Associates, Inc., focusing on public and
private engineering and construction management projects.
Craig Kawaguchi: Department of Environmental Management Acting Deputy Director
Craig Kawaguchi has served as the County’s Recycling Coordinator since 2022 and received
the award of County of Hawai‘i Supervisor of the Year in 2024. He previously served as an
Executive Assistant under Mayor Billy Kenoi and a Recycling Specialist where he assisted with
the start of the HI-5 recycling program on Hawai‘i Island. Kawaguchi will serve as acting deputy
director until a permanent appointment is made.
Kehaulani Costa: Office of Housing and Community Development Director
Kehaulani Costa has worked for the County of Hawai‘i as a Housing Planning Specialist and
Division Manager for the Office of Housing and Community Development’s Existing Housing
Division, which administers the federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program. A
graduate of Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Costa brings decades
of experience in non-profit management, education, and housing policy advocacy to the County.
Keiko Mercado: Office of Housing and Community Development Deputy Director
Keiko Mercado has dedicated her career to serving the people of Hawai‘i Island and nurturing
relationships between community and government. Throughout her career, she’s learned that
true leadership is rooted in a deep sense of responsibility to serve our community. This
commitment has shaped her approach to government work, driving a passion for creating
solutions that directly benefit residents and strengthen the fabric of communities across Hawai‘i
Island.
Benson Medina: Department of Research and Development Director
Benson Medina has served at an executive level in tourism, manufacturing, natural resource
development, agricultural tourism and community education.
Medina also serves as the President of Hui ʻOihana, the Hawaiʻi Island Native Hawaiian
Chamber of Commerce, and is the District Governor Nominee for Rotary International in
Hawai‘i.
He directed the islandwide 2022 Access to Care survey that provides critical data for healthcare
providers on Hawai‘i Island and was the principal grant writer and project manager for the
Hawai‘i Ag-Tourism Association. Medina is an active member of Hula Halau O Kawananakoa
and speaks frequently on the relationship between Native Hawaiian values and business.
Dennis Lin: Department of Research and Development Deputy Director
Dennis Lin was recently employed as the Community Relations Administrator for HPM Building
Supply where he managed their community outreach and government relations. As an active
member in his community, he has served as Chair of the Windward Planning Commission and
on numerous community boards and councils.
Lin is an active member of the Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce as Vice President and
Economic Development Chair, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of
Hawai‘i.
Laura Acasio: Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience Administrator
Laura Acasio has served the people of Hawai‘i as a former state senator and public school
teacher. She currently serves on the County’s Environmental Management Commission and is a
member of numerous nonprofit boards, including the governing board for Ka Umeke Kaʻeo
Hawaiian Immersion Public Charter School and the Hui ʻOihana Native Hawaiian Chamber of
Commerce.
Acasio will start the position on Feb. 1, 2025.
Staff photos can be found here.