GOVERNOR’S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE: Governor appoints five to HCDA
Posted on Aug 28, 2017 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press ReleasesHONOLULU – Gov. David Ige has selected five nominees to serve on the Hawai‘i Community Development Authority. They are Donna Ann Camvel, Phillip Hasha, Jo-Ann Leong, Jason Okuhama, Maeda Timson. Okuhama is being reappointed.
“These nominees represent a wide range of expertise that will serve the HCDA and our communities well as they work to establish community development plans that are in the best interest of Hawai‘i’s people,” said Gov. Ige.
The appointees are as follows:
Donna Ann Camvel (He‘eia District)
Camvel is a Hawaiian Studies lecturer at Windward Community College and is currently a graduate teaching assistant with the Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She has a master’s degree in Hawaiian Studies from the Hawai‘inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge at UH Mānoa. Term: July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2021.
Phillip Hasha: (Kaka‘ako District) **
Hasha is currently the principal and CEO of The Redmont Group, LLC, a start-up commercial real estate company he co-founded in 2012. Hasha previously worked as finance director for Direct Support Resources, Inc. in Honolulu and Hasha Appraisal and Consulting Service, Inc. in Alabama. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance and an executive master’s in Real Estate Development. Hasha recently received the SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and was named one of the 2015 Forty under 40 Rising Business and Community Leaders by Pacific Business News. Term: July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2021.
Jo-Ann C. Leong: (He‘eia District)
Leong is director emeritus of the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology and a professor at the School of Ocean and Earth Science & Technology at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She was a distinguished professor of microbiology and the former chairman of the Department of Microbiology at Oregon State University. Leong is an elected member of the American Academy of Microbiology. Term: July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2021
Jason Okuhama: (Kaka‘ako District) – Reappointment **
Okuhama is currently a managing partner at Hawai‘i Lending Specialists, LLC, dba Commercial and Business Lending, Honolulu Hawai‘i. Previously, he was vice president/business loan officer at Bank of America, a business loan officer with the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and assistant branch manager at First Hawaiian Bank in Kamuela, Hawai‘i. Term: July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2021.
Maeda Timson: (Kalaeloa District) **
Timson is a long-time community advocate of Kapolei. She is currently a self-employed consultant specializing in community relations. Timson previously worked as a bank executive and public information officer for the City and County of Honolulu. In addition to previously serving on the HCDA, Timson is associated with various community organizations. Term: July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2021.
The five appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
Media Contacts:
Jodi Leong
Deputy Communications Director/Press Secretary
Office of the Governor
Office: 808-586-0043
Mobile: 808-798-3929
Cindy McMillan
Communications Director
Office of the Governor
Office: 808-586-0012
Mobile: 808-265-7974