Information provided by County of Hawai’i Website.

The Hawai‘i County Council is comprised of nine members,  each elected from one of  Hawai‘i County’s nine council districts,  and serving two-year terms.   The  Council’s powers and functions are governed by Article 3,  Section 3-1, Hawai‘i  County Charter,  which states that the legislative powers of the county shall be vested  in  the County Council.    Its primary function shall be legislation and public policy  formulation.    The Council is responsible for passing the laws that govern this  county,  as enacted by ordinance,  and written in the Hawai‘i County Code.

District 1

Portion of South Hilo, North Hilo, Hāmākua, Portion of Waimea

(Pu‘ue‘o, Wainaku, Kaiwiki, Pauka‘a,  Papa‘ikou, Onomea,   Pepe‘ekeo, Honomū, Wailea, Hakalau, Ninole, Papa‘aloa, Laupāhoehoe, Waipunalei,   O‘okala,  Pa‘auilo, Pa‘auhau, Honoka‘a, Kukuihaele, Waipio, Āhualoa, Portion of Kamuela, Pleasant  Acres, Nani Waimea, Kamuela Highlands, Kamuela Lakeland, Kamuela Meadows, Kamuela  Havens)

  Valerie Poindexter

Phone:   (808) 961-8018 Fax:    (808) 961-8912

Email:   Valerie Poindexter Allowance/Expense Reports

Ms. Valerie Poindexter serves on the Hawai‘i County Council as Chair of  the Finance Committee,  Vice Chair of the Committee on Agriculture,  Water and Energy  Sustainability,   and Vice Chair of the Human Services and Social Services  Committee.

Valerie was born and raised in the district of Hāmākua in Pa‘auilo.   She is  married to Ira “Sonny” Poindexter,  III,  and they have three  beautiful children –  Rochelle, Mikela and the late Keoki Ahuna.

Education

  • Graduated from  Honoka‘a High School
  • Paralegal Certificate,  University of Hawai‘i at Hilo
  • Diploma,  Health Care Administration,  University of Hawai‘i,  West Oah‘u  Campus
  • Currently working towards a B.A. in Public Administration

Work Experience

  • Human Resources Manager,  Hāmākua Health Center, Inc.
  • Director of Finance and Grant Writer,  Lokahi Treatment Centers
  • Legal Assistant,  Christopher J. Roehrig,  Attorney at Law
  • Administrative Assistant,  Office for Social Ministry

Current affiliations:

  • President,  O‘okala Community Association
  • Board Member,  Brantley Center,  Inc.
  • Board Member,  Hāmākua Youth Foundation
  • Board Member,  Hawai‘i Island Sports Officials Association (HISOA)
  • Advisory Board Member – Hawai‘i Community College Substance Abuse Counseling  Program
  • Advisory Board Member – University of Hawai‘i NHERC Heritage Center
  • Member of the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Choir

____________________________________________________________________________________

District 2

Portion of South Hilo

(Downtown Hilo, Bayfront, Wailoa, Portion of Waiākea Houselots, University Heights,  Komohana  Gardens, Portion of Waiākea-Uka, Lanakila, Mohouli, Ainako, Kaūmana, Pi‘ihonua,  Wailuku, Waiānuenue)

  J  Yoshimoto

Phone:   (808) 961-8272 Fax:   (808) 961-8912

Email:   J Yoshimoto Allowance/Expense Reports

Mr. J Yoshimoto was elected to the Hawai‘i County Council in 2006 and currently  serves as  Chair and Presiding Officer of the Hawai‘i County Council.     He is a licensed  attorney  and has been practicing  law since 1992. J is married to Tracie Nakano-Yoshimoto and has three  children.

Education

  • E.B. De Silva Elementary School
  • Hilo Intermediate School and Hilo High School
  • Political Science degree with Distinction,  University of Hawai‘i at Manoa,  1988
  • Law degree,  William S. Richardson School of Law,  1992

Work Experience

  • Hawai‘i State Legislature,  Office of Representative Wayne Metcalf
  • Associate Attorney with the law firm of Amano,  Pinao & Kobayashi
  • Deputy Attorney General for the State of Hawai‘i
  • Legal Specialist for the Legislative Research Branch,  Hawai‘i County Council

Organizations & Other Interests

  • Hawai‘i State Bar Association
  • Hawai‘i County Bar Association
  • Arbitrator for Lemon Law Complaints filed with the Department of Commerce and  Consumer  Affairs
  • Arbitrator for the Court Annexed Arbitration Program for cases filed with the Third  Circuit  Court
  • Previously served as:   President of the Young Lawyers Division of the Hawai‘i  State  Bar Association;  mediator for the Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center;  member of the American  Bar  Association;  coach and judge for the High School Mock Trial Program;  and Chair of the  Hawai‘i County Democratic Party.

____________________________________________________________________________________

District 3

Portion of South Hilo, Portion of Kea‘au

(Banyan Drive, Keaukaha, Hilo Industrial Area, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo,  Puainako Houselots, Kawailani Houselots, Haihai Subdivision, Portion of Waiākea  Homesteads, Waiākea-Uka, Pana‘ewa, Macadamia Nut Farms, 8-1/2 mile Camp, Kūlani, Kea‘au  Shopping Area, Kea‘au High School)

  Dennis “Fresh” Onishi

Phone:   (808) 961-8396 Fax:   (808) 961-8912

Email:   Dennis “Fresh” Onishi Allowance/Expense Reports

Mr. Dennis “Fresh” Onishi was born and raised in Hilo.   He currently serves  on the Hawai‘i County Council as  Chair  of the Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development,  Vice Chair of the  Public Works and Parks and Recreation Committee,  and Representative to the Executive  Committee of the Hawai‘i State Association of Counties.

During his 20-plus years of employment with the County of Hawai‘i and his direct  involvement with youth and elderly, they have become and continue to be his primary  focus.   As  such, he would like to see more services, programs and safer facilities for our senior  citizens  and youth.   Having grown up in District 3, he appreciates the diverse communities of  residential,  commercial and industrial, mingling with the recreational, educational and spiritual,  which  comprises the district.     He states, “Being your full-time councilman, my door  will be  always open to you.”

Education

  • Kapiolani Elementary School
  • Waiākea Intermediate School
  • Hilo High School (1979)
  • Hawai‘i Community College
  • University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Work Experience

  • 1987-1991 Recreation Division and Elderly Activities Division, Parks and Recreation  Department (Hakalau Gym, Pāhoa Community Center, Imin Center in Hōlualoa, Papa‘aloa  Senior  Learning Center and Lanakila Recreation Center), County of  Hawai‘i
  • 1991-2005 Hawai‘i Police Activities League (HI-PAL), Hawai‘i Police Department,  County of Hawai‘i
  • 2005-2008 Elderly Activities Division, Recreation Services (South/North Hilo  District),  Parks and Recreation  Department, County of Hawai‘i
  • 2008-present Council Member, Hawai‘i County Council

Hobbies & Interests

  • Coaching youth basketball and seeing them enjoy and succeed in life
  • Traveling to different parts of the world and experiencing its cultures
  • Enjoys different ethnic food

____________________________________________________________________________________

District 4

Portion of Puna (Eastern)

(Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiian Beaches, Makai of Pāhoa  Town, Nanawale  Estates, Leilani Estates, Pohoiki, Kapoho)

  Greggor Ilagan

Phone:   (808) 965-2712 Fax:    (808) 965-2707

Email:   Greggor Ilagan Allowance/Expense Reports

Mr. Greggor Ilagan was born in a remote province in the  southern Philippines.  He came to  Hawai‘i when he was seven years old and spoke very little English when he was enrolled  in  public school.

Education:

  • Waiākea High School (2004)
  • Hawai‘i Community College

Experience:

  • Hawai‘i Air National Guard (2 years)
  • Ohio Air National Guard (4 years)

Chairmanships:

  • Chair of the Hawai‘i County Housing Agency
  • Vice Chair of the Finance Committee
  • Vice Chair of the Governmental Relations and Economic Development Committee
  • Alternate Representative to the Executive Committee of the Hawai‘i State  Association of  Counties

Mr. Ilagan’s passion is to serve the community.    He wants to leave a legacy that  the next  generation  will be proud of.   He remembers how he lived as a young child in the  Philippines  and  does not take for granted how  fortunate we all are to be living in paradise.

In Greggor’s own words,

      I live and work by these words of Lao Tsu,  the  Chinese philosopher. . .

      “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, and when his work is  done, his aim fulfilled, the people will  say,   ‘We did it ourselves.’ ”

____________________________________________________________________________________

District 5

Portion of Puna (Western)

(W.H. Shipman Industrial Park, 9-1/2 mile Camp, Kea‘au Ag Lots, Kurtistown, Mt.  View, Glenwood, Orchidland Estates, Ainaloa, Hawaiian  Acres, Fern Acres, Eden Roc, Fern Forest Estates, Mauka of Pāhoa Town, Kaohe  Homesteads, Kamaili Homesteads, Kalapana, Opihikao, Kehena,  Kaimu)

  Zendo Kern

Phone:   (808) 961-8536 Fax:    (808) 961-8912

Email:   Zendo  Kern Allowance/Expense Reports

Mr. Zendo Kern serves on the Hawai‘i County Council as Chair of the Environmental  Management Committee and Chair of the Planning Committee.

Born in North Kohala,  Zendo’s family moved to Puna when he was two years  old.     He  grew up  in  Wa‘aWa‘a  with no  HELCO power,  no county water,  and no phone service.   Zendo was living “green” before he knew what  green was.   He spent his  childhood fishing, diving, and surfing with his local friends.

Education:

  • Montessori Country School
  • Mālamalama Waldorf School
  • Kea‘au Elementary School
  • Pāhoa Elementary, Intermediate, and High School
  • Homeschool

Experience:

  • Carpenter
  • Proprietor, General Construction, specializing in “Green” construction
  • Proprietor, Small Machinery Business

Certification and Achievements:

  • General Contractor’s License
  • Awarded 2007 County of Hawai‘i Small Business Administration (SBA) Young  Entrepreneur  Award

Community Service

  • Commissioner, Windward Planning Commission, County of Hawai‘i (2009)
  • Chair, Windward Planning Commission, County of Hawai‘i (2011 – 2012)
  • Member, Downtown Hilo Improvement Association (DHIA), helping to create Envision  2025, a  living action plan for Downtown Hilo (2003-2005)

All of Zendo’s experiences in business and community service has made one thing  clear to  him:

    Zendo is most excited, inspired  and fulfilled when he is able to help the people of Puna.      He looks forward to  continuing to represent Puna and Hawai‘i Island to the best of his abilities.

____________________________________________________________________________________

District 6

Portion of North Kona,  South Kona,  Ka‘u,  and  Greater Volcano Area

(Volcano Village, Hawaiian Orchid Island Estates, Pahala, Punalu‘u,  Nā‘ālehu, South Point, Ocean View, Miloli‘i, Ho‘okena, Hōnaunau,  Ke‘ei, Nāpō‘opo‘o, Captain Cook, Portion of Kealakekua, Keōpuka  Heights, Kona Hospital, Keōpuka Kai)

  Brenda  Ford

Phone:   (808) 323-4277 Fax:   (808) 329-4786

Email:   Brenda Ford Allowance/Expense Reports

Ms. Brenda Ford serves on the Hawai‘i County Council as Chair of the Public Safety  and  Mass Transit Committee.    Brenda and her husband, Larry, have lived in Kona since  1996.   They have three children  and five grandchildren.

Community Involvement:

Brenda currently is a member of or is involved with the following organizations:

  • American Red Cross – volunteer:
    • Past and current member of the Disaster Action Team (DAT)
    • Shelter Management
    • Two-year term as Chairperson of Disaster Committee
  • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT):
    • CERT Volunteer
    • Former Director on the Board & Former Corporate Secretary & Treasurer
  • Plan to Protect (working to balance between sustainable economic development,  environmental  protection, and appropriate use practices):
    • Former Director of the Board
    • Former Corporate Secretary
  • Kona Orchid Society:
    • Former Director on the Board
    • Former Corporate Secretary

Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Management

Employment:

  • Council Member, District 6, 2012-present
  • Council Member, District 7 (Central Kona), 2006-2012
  • Two years in the Hotel-Resort Industry (Hospitality) in Group Sales
  • One year in Chemical Manufacturing
  • 22 years in Telecommunications

____________________________________________________________________________________

District 7

Portion of South Kona, Portion of North Kona

(Portion of Kealakekua, Kona Scenic Subdivision, Kainaliu, Honalo, Keauhou,  Kahalu‘u,  Hōlualoa, Kona Hillcrest, Pualani Estates, Sunset View, Kuakini Heights, Kona Vistas,   Ali‘i Heights,  Kona Industrial, Lono Kona)

  Dru Mamo Kanuha

Phone:   (808) 323-4267 Fax:    (808) 329-4786

Email:   Dru Mamo Kanuha Allowance/Expense Reports

Mr. Dru Mamo Kanuha serves on the Hawai‘i County Council as Chair of the Public  Works and  Parks and Recreation Committee and Vice Chair of the Environmental Management  Committee.

Dru Kanuha was born in Kealekekua and raised near the shore, in the ahupua‘a of  Hōlualoa.    The Kanuha family has lived for generations in the Keopu ahupua‘a that  extends from Kailua Bay through the area now known as Emma’s Square and mauka, and is  known for  their stewardship of Kona lands.

Education:

  • Mokuaikaua Church Preschool
  • Kahakai Elementary School
  • Kealakehe Intermediate and High School
  • University of San Diego – Political Science, B.A., with a Minor in Business  Administration

Public Service Experience:

  • Volunteer Instructor, children’s tennis at the Old Kona Airport
  • Volunteer, Kealakehe High School Waveriders Against Drugs
  • Kona Representative, Hawai‘i Island Burial Council (2010-2011)
  • Member, Board of Directors, Kai ‘O Pua Canoe Club
  • Founding Member, The Betty Kanuha Foundation, Inc. (formed in 2001 as a tribute to  Dru’s  Grandmother), a non-profit organization supporting literacy and cultural programs
  • Vice Chair, 2011 Hawai‘i County Redistricting Commission

Employment Experience:

  • Water and Agricultural Resources, Kamehameha Schools-Land Assets Division, Hawai‘i  Island  (supporting Kamehameha School’s Strategic Agricultural Plan)
  • Legislative Aide, Judiciary and Labor Committee (Senator Clayton Hee, Chair),  Hawai‘i  State Legislature

____________________________________________________________________________________

District 8

North Kona

(Kailua View Estates, Malulani Gardens, Hualālai Farms, Keōpū Mauka, Kailua Heights,  Kealakehe, Honokōhau, Kaloko,  Kohanaiki, Kalaoa, Keāhole, Mākālei, Makalawena, Pu‘uanahulu, Waikōloa Beach  Resort)

  Karen Eoff

Phone:   (808) 323-4280 Fax:    (808) 329-4786

Email:   Karen  Eoff Allowance/Expense Reports

Ms. Karen Eoff serves on the Hawai‘i County Council as as Vice Chair of the Hawai‘i  County  Council and Chair of the Committee on Human Services and Social Services.

Karen has been married to her husband, Gary Eoff, since 1975.   Together they moved  to  Hawai‘i in 1981 to  join  her sister who also resides on the island.  They have lived in Kona for over 30  years.

EDUCATION:

    • 1966-1967   University of California at Los Angeles
    • 1967-1968   University of California at Berkley
    • 1968-1970   University of California at Santa Barbara, B.A. Degree in  Sociology
    • 1996-1997   College of Continuing Education, University of Hawai‘i at  Hilo

Paralegal Certificate – Graduated 2nd in Class

EMPLOYMENT:

  • 2010-2012   Deputy Executive Assistant to the Chair of the Hawai‘i County  Council
  • 2010-2012   Secretary to the 2011 Hawai‘i County Redistricting Commission.
  • 2010-2012   Legislative Assistant to Vice Chair K. Angel Pilago, Hawai‘i County  Council
  • 2008-2010   Aide to the Chair of the Hawai‘i County Council
  • 2008-2010   Deputy Executive Assistant to the Chair of the Hawai‘i County  Council
  • 1980-1990   Substitute Teacher, Department of Education, State of Hawai‘i  (Kona)
  • 1980-present   “Marlin Magic”   Fishing Lure Manufacturing Business

AWARDS:

  • 1999   Recipient of Soroptimist International’s  “Woman of Distinction Award” in  recognition of  outstanding  contributions to the Kona community
  • 2008   “Employee of the Quarter”, Office of the County Clerk
  • 2008   Nominated for “Employee Of The Year”, County of Hawai‘i

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

    • 1990–Present   Member Kohanaiki Ohana

Worked on two landmark Hawai‘i Supreme Court decisions, which resulted in Act 50  relating to Cultural Impact Statements.    These legal victories led to new laws in the  State of Hawai‘i that provide  strong  tools to ensure environmental justice, human rights, and public use of resources.

  • 1995–2002   Organized Anchialine Pond Restoration Project at *Kohanaiki-WHEA  students
  • 1990–2008   Organized Annual Māmalahoa Trail Restoration at  *Kohanaiki-Kealakehe 8th  graders
  • 1994–2012   Organized Annual Keiki Surf for the Earth Contest at  *Kohanaiki
    *Efforts at Kohanaiki have led to a “Good Faith Agreement” with the landowners  and the  creation of a  public  shoreline park that will be dedicated to the County of Hawai‘i in 2013.   This is a  model for working together  with the  developer, the County, and the public to promote the well being of our community.

____________________________________________________________________________________

District 9

North and South Kohala

(Mauna Lani Resort, Waikōloa Village, Puakō, Waiki‘i, Portion of Kamuela,  Pu‘ukapu Farms, Pu‘ukapu Homesteads, Pu‘ukapu Village House Lots,  Lualia, Pu‘u‘ōpelu, Lalamilo, Wai‘aka, Kawaihae, Kohala Ranch,  Māhukona, Hawi, Kapa‘au, Hala‘ula)

  Margaret Wille

Phone:   (808) 887-2069 Fax:    (808) 887-2072

Email:   Margaret Wille Allowance/Expense Reports

Ms. Margaret Wille serves on the Hawai‘i County Council as Chair of the Committee on  Agriculture, Water and Energy  Sustainability,  Vice Chair of  the Planning Committee,  and Vice Chair of the Public Safety and Mass Transit  Committee.

Educational background:

  • Juris Doctorate:   1979  (Antioch School of Law, Washington D.C.)
  • Masters in Education – Counseling:   1972  (Antioch School of  Education, Keene, New Hampshire)
  • Bachelor of Art:    Anthropology – Social Sciences, 1969   (Bennington College, Bennington, Vermont)
  • Verde Valley School:   1965  (Sedona, Arizona – private high school)

Core values:

  • Pono – balance and rightness
  • Aloha ‘āina – love of the land

Some of Margaret’s accomplishments as a community member:

  • Margaret successfully helped convince Governor Abercrombie to reverse his  opposition to the  Hospital Sustainability legislation  that now will bring in over 3 million dollars to  our North  Hawai‘i Community Hospital.
  • Margaret drafted the final base redistricting voting map for the County Council  voting  districts so that the plan would not be lop-sided in favor of a Hilo voting block.    (Her redistricting map kept North Kohala, Waikoloa, Puako, and Waiki‘i in District  9.)
  • As a concerned member of the public, Margaret drafted the Hawai‘i County Charter  amendment that set a standard for preservation of natural and cultural resources on our  island.   Voters approved this charter amendment (Charter Section §13-29).
  • Margaret plans to continue her work to overcome the political obstacles to the  Lalamio  Connector Road, which would extend  from Māmalahoa Highway where it will link the Parker Ranch Connector to the Kawaihae  Road near  the transfer station.
  • Margaret was an active member of the South Kohala Community Development Plan  Steering  Committee and assisted in the drafting of the ordinance authorizing the formation of  the  community development plan action committees.
  • To assist Mayor Kenoi fend off a decrease in County revenues, Margaret organized a  petition  drive to State legislators to preserve our County’s Transit Accommodation Tax revenues,  and  testified  before various State legislative hearings to insure that the County of  Hawai‘i  received its allocation of these funds.
  • Margaret successfully fought for the Parker Ranch connector road (promised in  1992).   This important connector road is now in place.