Hawaii County, HI
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Director: Diane Nakagawa
Diane Nakagawa was appointed Director of Finance in January 2024 after serving as the County’s Deputy Finance Director since 2022 and Purchasing Agent since 2019. Prior to joining the County of Hawai‘i, she spent 16 years at the City of Phoenix, primarily specializing in economic development and budget administration. Diane last served as the Deputy Director of Economic Development for the City of Phoenix before returning home.
Diane was born and raised in Kona and is an alumna of Konawaena High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Arizona State University’s School of Public Affairs.
Deputy Director: Malia A. Kekai
Prior to her appointment as Deputy Finance Director, Malia Kekai served as the Department of Public Works Deputy Director for two years. She has been in the County since 2016 initially working six years at the Office of Corporation Counsel as a Deputy Corporation Counsel advising numerous departments and boards and commissions.
Malia was born and raised on Maui and graduated from Maui High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and Hawaiian Studies. She received her Juris Doctorate from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, CA.
Private Secretary: Crystallene K. Pacheco