Mr. Dennis “Fresh” Onishi was born and raised in Hilo. Throughout his 29 years of employment with the County of Hawai’i, he has had direct involvement with the youth and elderly, which remains as his primary focus. As such, he would like to see more services, programs, and safer facilities for our senior citizens and youth. He is also committed to advocating for sustainable development, economic growth, and social responsibility to create more opportunities for local businesses, to enhance our public services, and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for future generations.

Fresh serves on numerous committees on the Hawai‘i County Council

• County Council Vice Chair
• Chair of the Committee on Environmental Management
• Chair of the Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development
• Vice Chair of the Committee on Public Works and Parks and Recreation
• Representative to the Executive Committee of the Hawai‘i State Association of Counties (HSAC)
• Board Member of the National Association of Counties (NACo)
• 2018-2022 Governor Ige East Hawaii Representative

A couple of projects that Fresh helped to organize and provide funding for includes the following:

• All Day Summer programs at Andrews & Waiakea Uka Gym
• Retired Service Volunteer Program mileage
• Kapiolani Street extension
• New lights for Kawananakoa Field
• NAS Pool re-roofing
• Hilo Skate Park
• Hilo Drag Strip and Skeet Range
• HPD Community Policing Bike Program
• HFD search and rescue equipment
• HFD maintenance warehouse and chopper hangar roofing
• $270,000 from the State of Hawaii Invasive Species Council for the Fire Ant Crew
• $290,000 from the State Department for the Fire Ant Program
• $3 million from the State Department of Transportation for Kalanianaole Avenue improvements
• Panaewa Playground
• State Grant for the construction of the Hawaii Island Adult Care Center
• Supported $550,000 from the State Capital Budget for the replacement of water lines along Nohea Street and Santos Lane

His hobbies and interests include: coaching youth basketball (for the past 25 years) and seeing them enjoy and succeed in life, traveling to different parts of the world and experiencing its cultures, and enjoys different ethnic foods.