LIHU‘E — In her new role with the Gov. Josh Green administration, Dana Hazelton will be the governor’s “eyes and ears” for the Kaua‘i community.
Hazelton was recently appointed to serve as the Kaua‘i governor’s representative, where she is responsible for attending functions and giving speeches on the governor’s behalf, coordinating his visits to the island, and synthesizing community feedback.
“I love having the opportunity to learn from the community and all its diversity,” said Hazelton in an interview with The Garden Island. “It’s an opportunity to deepen my knowledge of this place that I love so much.”
As a single mother who lived in public housing and received SNAP benefits, Hazelton experienced firsthand the power that government could have to improve people’s lives.
“Without that help, I wouldn’t have been able to raise a child in a safe and healthy environment,” said Hazelton.
Hazelton is a late-comer to the political realm. Born and raised on Kaua‘i, she began her career as a nurse, before moving on to work for Kaua‘i Community College and Kaua‘i Federal Credit Union.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hazelton began administering the Coronavirus Rental and Utility Assistance Program, which distributed millions of dollars to families struggling with bills.
In that role, she realized the importance of public policy in fixing issues like the high cost of housing.
“The solution is, we need affordable housing,” she said. “But how do we do that? It goes into the process of getting an affordable housing budget through our county council, and informing and guiding policy.”
Green was inaugurated earlier this year after resounding victories in both the Democratic primary and the general election. He replaced David Ige, who left office because of term limits after eight years.
“Dana Hazelton is going to do an amazing job representing our administration on Kaua‘i,” said Green in a statement to The Garden Island. “As a registered nurse, she has caring in her DNA, and I know she will work hard to take care of and help people in alignment with our administration’s priorities each and every day.”
Hazelton praised Green’s leadership as lieutenant governor during the COVID-19 pandemic, his diverse cabinet, and his Kauhale workforce housing program.
“He takes action,” said Hazelton. “But he takes action with knowledge behind it.”
Finally, she voiced appreciation for the new governor’s interest in pulling solutions from the communities he serves.
“He consults the community for answers, and that’s so important, especially for me, being born and raised here,” said Hazelton. “That is the way to do it — because the community has the answers.”
Constituents hoping to get in touch with Hazelton can contact her at dana.m.hazelton@hawaii.gov.
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Guthrie Scrimgeour, reporter, can be reached at 808-647-0329 or gscrimgeour@thegardenisland.com.
