Carvalho appoints Nakamura as new managing director

LIHUE — Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. announced Friday he named Kauai County Council Vice Chair Nadine Nakamura to replace county Managing Director Gary Heu, who is retiring Oct. 31, after 11 years on the job.

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to serve in the Carvalho administration,” Nakamura said in a press release. “I look forward to applying my background and skills to help implement the Mayor’s vision and priorities for our island.”

Carvalho said he is thrilled to bring someone with such valuable experience, deep knowledge of county government, and highly-diverse skill set into the administration.

“There were several excellent candidates to consider, however I feel Nadine is the right person to assist in moving the team forward at this time,” he said in the release.

Nakamura is currently halfway into her second council term. Previous to holding elected office, she worked as a consultant, offering services such as strategic and community planning, organizational development, and collaboration building.

She also has experience as a project coordinator for affordable housing developments, and in the Land Utilization and Transportation Services departments of the City and County of Honolulu.

She holds a bachelor’s of science degree from the University of Southern California in Public Affairs and Urban Planning, and a master’s degree from the University of Hawai‘i in Urban and Regional Planning.

“I share the mayor’s values and his desire to improve county government and enhance our quality of life on Kauai,” she said.

The transition will take place on Oct. 31, according to county officials.