LIHU‘E — Former County of Kaua‘i council Member James Kunane Tokioka added to his lengthy resume after being named to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority board of directors.
Tokioka, who served on the county council for 10 years before spending 16 years in the Hawai‘i state House of Representatives, was tapped for the board seat by Gov. Josh Green.
The board seat means double duty for Tokioka, who is also director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. He was appointed to the position earlier this year by Green.
Tokioka was appointed to the tourism board along with Blaine Miyasato, who is the managing director of state government affairs for Hawaiian Airlines. The duo succeed former tourism board chair George Kam and board member Keone Downing, whose terms ended on June 30. The terms of Tokioka and Miyasato began on July 7 and will expire on June 30, 2026.
“We are excited to welcome Blaine and James, two highly respected individuals, who bring a great deal of knowledge, experience and a passion for elevating communities statewide to our diverse board of directors,” said Daniel Naho‘opi‘i, who serves as chief administrative officer for the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA), in a statement.
“We are grateful for their commitment to helping HTA balance the well-being of all residents and place with meaningful economic, environmental and cultural benefits that are essential in our pursuit for a regenerative tourism model for Hawai‘i,” said Naho‘opi‘i.”
The tourism board consists of 12 members, who serve as volunteers to guide the authority’s work for the state. Members include at least one representative from the city and county of Honolulu, and the counties of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i and Maui, as per state statute.
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Wyatt Haupt Jr., editor, can be reached at 808-245-0457 or whaupt@thegardenisland.com.
