News for Nonprofits

Many nonprofit leaders will join Abercrombie administration

Following his inauguration as Governor, Neil Abercrombie has announced appointments of a remarkable number of Hawaii nonprofit leaders to cabinet and departmental leadership positions. Pending confirmation by the State Senate in many cases, these appointees with nonprofit experience will join an administration that already included Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, former president and CEO of Helping Hands Hawaii:

  • Andrew Aoki, deputy chief of staff, was a director and co-founder of the nonprofits Kanu Hawaii and College Connections Hawaii, served as interim executive director of Hawaii Community Services Council before it became HANO, oversaw grant-making for the HMSA Foundation and directed youth and teen programs for the YMCA of Honolulu.
  • Pankaj Bhanot, deputy director of the Department of Human Services, has been the Department of Human Services’ division administrator for Benefit, Employment and Support Services, and previously worked as the family development director for the nonprofit Kauai Economic Opportunity Inc.
  • Tammi Oyadomari-Chun, policy analyst, was executive director of Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education, a statewide organization that works to strengthen the education pipeline between early education and higher education.
  • Bruce Coppa, director of the Department of Accounting and General Services, is a former HANO board member.
  • Donalyn Dela Cruz, press secretary, spokesperson and main media contact, was public affairs director for Bishop Museum.
  • Gary Gill, deputy director for the Environment for the Department of Health, was program director of the Blue Planet Foundation.
  • Mila Kaahanui, director of the Office of Community Services, is a social worker and a Filipino civil rights leader.
  • Guy Kaulukukui, deputy director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, was associate director for strategic partnerships at The Kohala Center.
  • Josh Levinson, director of communications, was president and CEO of the nonprofit Community Links Hawaii.
  • Richard Lim, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, serves on the boards of the Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs, the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council, the Hawaii Technology Development Venture and the Korean American Foundation, and on the board of governors of Chaminade University.
  • Kealii S. Lopez, director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, was president and CEO of Olelo Community Media and previously worked at Kamehameha Schools.
  • David Louie, attorney general, served as president, vice president and director of the Hawaii State Bar Association from 1995 to 2001.
  • Pat McManaman, director of the Department of Human Services, served as CEO of the former Na Loio — Immigrant Rights and Public Interest Legal Center for 12 years and has been an attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii.
  • Alapaki Nahale-a, director of the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, was executive director of the Hawaii Charter Schools Network and a board member for the Kuikahi Mediation Center, and once held a community development position at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.
  • Rep. Maile Shimabukuro, appointed by Gov. Abercrombie to the State Senate to fill vacancy left by newly elected U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, was an attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii.
  • Debbie Shimizu, legislative liaison, is a social worker and has been executive director of the Hawaii Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers since 1991.
  • Sunshine Topping, director of the Department of Human Resources Development, was director of human resources for Sandwich Isle Communications.

Meanwhile, unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate, former Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona has joined the nonprofit sector, accepting a position as executive vice president of development and recruitment at Saint Louis School.