City Boards and Commissions
To apply for a vacant position on one of the City’s boards or commissions, please send a cover letter and resume to mdoffice@honolulu.gov.
Board of Water Supply
Ka ʻOihana Wai
As a semi-autonomous agency, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors. The BWS sets policies and prescribes regulations for the management, control and operation of the public water systems on Oahu and the properties of these systems, and fixes and adjusts rates and charges for the furnishing of water services. The Board of Directors also appoints the Manager and Chief Engineer of the BWS.
| Members (7): | Term: |
|---|---|
| Bryan P. Andaya* | 6/30/2025 |
| Na‘alehu Anthony | 6/30/2026 |
| Jonathan Kaneshiro | 6/30/2027 |
| Dana Kapua’ala Sproat | 6/30/2024 |
| Lance Wilhelm | 6/30/2028 |
| Ed Sniffen | Ex officio |
| Gene Albano | Ex officio |
Vacancies:
None
Appointing Authority:
Charter Section 7-104 creates a policy-making body consisting of seven members, five appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council to staggered five-year terms and two ex officio (the Chief Engineer of the Department of Facility Maintenance and the State Director of Transportation).
Building Board of Appeals
Ka Papa Noi Kūkulu Hale
The Building Board of Appeals hears and determines appeals from actions of the Director of the Department of Planning and Permitting in the administration and enforcement of Building, Electrical, and Plumbing codes, and appeals from actions of the Fire Official in the enforcement of the fire code. The Board also hears and determines requests for variance from provisions in the building code, electrical code, plumbing code, fire code, and building energy efficiency standards, as well as appeals concerning the summary removal of unlawful signs from street right-of-way and public malls.
| Members (9): | Term: | Special Position: |
|---|---|---|
| Geena Thielen* | 12/31/2025 | General Contractor |
| Christopher T. Hong | 12/31/2028 | Engineer/Architect |
| Fernando J. Frontera | 12/31/2024 | Engineer/Architect |
| Jay T. Higashi | 12/31/2025 | Fire Safety |
| Scott Inatsuka | 12/31/2024 | Engineer/Architect |
| Brent Tokita | 12/31/2026 | Engineer/Architect |
| Aditya Situmeang | 12/31/2024 | Plumbing |
| Vacant | Fire Safety | |
| Vacant | Electrical |
Vacancies:
None
Appointing Authority: ROH Section 16-1.1 (International Building Code – SECTION 112), provides that of the 9 members appointed by the mayor, 4 members shall be registered engineers or architects with the State of Hawaii board of registration of professional engineers, architects, land surveyors, and landscape architects; 1 member shall be experienced and trained in electrical work; 1 member shall be experienced and trained in plumbing work; 2 members shall be trained and experienced in fire safety; and 1 member shall be a general contractor licensed under HRS Chapter 444.
Citizens Advisory Commission on Emergency Management
Komikina Aʻoaʻo o ka Poʻe Kīwila no nā Ulia Pōpilikia
The five-member Citizens Advisory Commission on Emergency Management advises the Mayor, the City Council, and the Director of the Department of Emergency Management on matters pertaining to disaster emergency planning and operations and promotes community participation, understanding, and interest in emergency management and disaster emergency preparation.
| Members (5): | Term: |
|---|---|
| Joseph Miller* | 3/31/2025 |
| Jerald K. Dolak | 3/31/2021 |
| Darryll Wong | 3/31/2027 |
| Lani Hubbard | 3/31/2028 |
| Marc E. Dexter | 3/31/2029 |
Vacancies:
None
Appointing Authority:
Charter Section 6-104 establishes a Citizens Advisory Commission on Civil Defense consisting of five members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council to five-year terms.
Civil Service Commission
Komikina no ka Poʻe Hana Kīwila
The primary functions of the Civil Service Commission are to prescribe rules to carry out the provisions of the City Charter, hear appeals, and advise the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Human Resources on issues and problems concerning personnel administration.
| Members (5): | Term: |
|---|---|
| Alan K. Bluemke* | 6/30/2025 |
| Cindy S. Inouye | 6/30/2021 |
| Ethel L. Fleming | 6/30/2022 |
| Clyde Hayashi | 6/30/2024 |
| VACANT |
Vacancies:
One (1)
Appointing Authority:
Charter Sec. 6-1110 provides that no more than three members shall belong to the same political party.
Clean Water & Natural Lands Commission
Komikina Aʻoaʻo no ka Wai Maʻemaʻe & ka ʻĀina Kūlohelohe
The purpose of the Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund is to provide for the purchase of or to otherwise acquire real estate or any interest therein for land conservation in the City for the following purposes:
• Protection of watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply
• Preservation of forests, beaches, coastal areas and agricultural lands
• Public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches and mountains
• Preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites
• Protection of significant habitats or ecosystems, including buffer zones
• Conservation of land in order to reduce erosion, floods, landslides, and runoff; and
• Acquisition of public access to public land and open space.
| Members (7): | Term: | Special Position: |
|---|---|---|
| Sherry P. Broder* | 1/14/2025 | Mayoral Appointee |
| Keliiahonui Kotubetey | 1/14/2026 | Mayoral Appointee |
| Susie Fong | 1/14/2029 | Mayoral Appointee |
| Frederick Reppun | 1/14/2026 | Council Appointee |
| Jason Kekahi “Kahi” Pacarro | 1/14/2029 | Council Appointee |
| Jamie K. Tanimoto | 1/14/2025 | Council Appointee |
| William Kamanaʿolana Mills | 1/14/2027 | Appointed by majority vote of other members |
Vacancies:
None
Appointing Authority:
The CWNL Commission (Res. 07-355, CD1) attached to the Council was eliminated by 2016 Charter Amendment Question 11. Pursuant to Charter Sec. 9-204.8, the membership of the new commission consists of three Mayoral appointees, three Council appointees, and one member appointed by a majority vote of other members.
Climate Change Commission
Komikina Loli Aniau
The Climate Change Commission is charged with gathering the latest science and information on climate change impacts to Hawai‘i, with a focus on O‘ahu. They also provide advice and recommendations to the mayor, City Council, and executive departments as they look to draft policy and engage in planning for future climate scenarios.
| Members (5) : | Term: |
|---|---|
| Dr. Rosanna ʻAnolani Alegado* | 6/30/2023 |
| Melanie Islam | 6/30/2026 |
| Kiana Otsuka | 6/30/2027 |
| Dr. Kirsten L.L. Oleson | 6/30/2029 |
| Dr. Bradley Romine | 6/30/2025 |
Vacancies:
None
Appointing Authority:
The Climate Change Commission was created by 2016 Charter Amendment Question 7. Pursuant to Charter Sec. 6-107(h), the Commission is to consist of five members with expertise in climate change in Hawaii.
The Commission on Culture and the Arts
Komikina no ka Moʻomeheu a me ka Pāheona
The Commission on Culture and the Arts was founded in 1968 after the passage of the Percent for Art law in 1967 that established the Art in City Buildings Program. The Commission consists of 11 members who are all appointed by the mayor with the approval of the council with the following objectives:
• To assist the city in attaining national preeminence in culture and the arts
• To assist the city in the preservation of the artistic and cultural heritages of all its people
• To promote a community environment which provides equal and abundant opportunity for exposure to culture and the arts in all its forms, and
• To encourage and provide equal opportunity for the development of cultural and artistic talents of the people of Honolulu.
| Members (11) : | Term: | Special Position: |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen F. Mechler* | 6/30/2024 | Urban design |
| Taylour Chang | 6/30/2029 | Multi-media |
| Jasper Wong | 6/30/2025 | At-large |
| Vincent A. Hazen | 6/30/2025 | Fine Arts |
| Josh Tengan | 6/30/2026 | Crafts |
| Leighton K. F. Liu | 6/30/2021 | Design |
| Gail N. Harada | 6/30/2022 | Literature |
| Elizabeth Soto | 6/30/2027 | Theater |
| Paige Miki Okamura | 6/30/2028 | Music |
| Mamoru Sato | 6/30/2028 | Visual arts |
| Victoria M.H. Takamine | 6/30/2027 | Dance |
| Kaʻili Trask O'Connell | Ex Officio |
Vacancies:
None
Appointing Authority:
ROH Section 3-2.2, provides that the 11 members shall be in the following categories: design; urban design; drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture (2 members); crafts; music; theater arts; dance; multi-media; literature; and at large.
The Economic Revitalization Commission
Komikina Hoʻomohala Waiwai
There shall be an economic revitalization commission consisting of nine members with expertise in small business, finance, sustainable economics, and community development. The economic revitalization commission shall be governed by the provisions of Section 13-103 and shall:
(1) Prepare a five-year strategic plan that will include recommended strategies for the city to encourage equitable and sustainable economic advancement, development of new businesses and industries, and reinvestment.
(2) Update the five-year strategic plan every five years and which will guide the city’s economic investment strategy.
(3) Meet quarterly, unless deemed unnecessary by a majority of the commission members
| Members (9) : | Term: |
|---|---|
| Olin Lagon* | 12/31/2027 |
| Anthony Mizuno | 12/31/2028 |
| Bobby-John “Olu” Campbell | 12/31/2024 |
| Eliza Talbot Manchester | 12/31/2024 |
| Deborah Lui-Anderson | 12/31/2025 |
| Reid Chung | 12/31/2025 |
| Gregory Kim | 12/31/2026 |
| Keoni Lee | 12/31/2026 |
| Melialani James | 12/31/2027 |
Vacancies:
None
Appointing Authority:
Section 6-109. Office of Economic Revitalization
There shall be an office of economic revitalization headed by an executive for economic revitalization who shall be appointed and may be removed by the mayor; and establishes an Economic Revitalization Commission consisting of nine members. The members of the Commission are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council and serve for staggered five-year terms. The commission members must have expertise in small business, finance, sustainable economics, and community development.
Honolulu Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee
Kōmike Aʻoaʻo no ke Kākoʻo Poʻe Koho Pāloka Kīnānā
The purpose of the advisory committee shall be to ensure equal and independent access to voter registration, casting of ballots, and all other county elections division services.
| Members (4) : | Term: |
|---|---|
| Donald Sakamoto* | 7/1/2025 |
| Ho’opio Balaz | 7/1/2024 |
| Brandon Young | 7/1/2023 |
| Ann Elizabeth Lemeke | 7/1/2026 |
Vacancies:
One (1)
Ethics Board of Appeals
Ka Papa Noi Lawena Hana Pono
Inactive for over 3 years because no one has filed an appeal
Ethics Commission
Komikina Lawena Hana Kūpono
The Honolulu Ethics Commission advances the standards of ethical conduct in government as expressed in the Revised Charter and the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu. The purpose of these laws and the Commission’s work is to improve and maintain public confidence in government officials and employees
| Members (7) : | Term: |
|---|---|
| David B. Monk* | 12/31/2026 |
| Shelton G. W. Jim On | 12/31/2025 |
| Peter S. Adler | 12/31/2025 |
| Victoria S. Marks | 12/31/2024 |
| Allene R. Suemori | 12/31/2024 |
| Muhtadia Rice | 12/31/2026 |
| Cynthia Lynch | 12/31/2028 |
Vacancies:
One (1)