LIHUE — Emily Ishida was sworn in Tuesday as the county’s new Executive on Aging for the Agency on Elderly Affairs.
“We are excited to have Emily take the helm in her new role as I’m confident her experience and background, along with her deep dedication to our elderly community, will only strengthen the Agency on Elderly Affairs along with its associates and programs,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “Emily has been a vital member of AEA for the past seven years, and we look forward to seeing the department continue to progress and thrive under her leadership.”
Kawakami appointed Ishida as the head of the department following the retirement of Kealoha Takahashi in November after some 47 years of service to the county.
Ishida has been serving as AEA’s program specialist II since 2017, overseeing the agency’s information and referral program which consists of six team members and case management consumers. Prior to joining AEA, Ishida served in the county’s Public Works Solid Waste Division as the recycling specialist, spearheading sustainability initiatives and ensuring programs were compliant with environmental regulations.
During her tenure with the county, Ishida served a key role as the lead program director on the county’s Emergency Management Incident Command team during COVID-19. She was the liaison between the elderly population and community.
“I am truly honored to continue serving the Agency on Elderly Affairs in this new capacity, and would like to thank Mayor Kawakami and our team for this opportunity that I do not take lightly,” Ishida said. “I have a passion for helping our aging population, especially those who cannot assist themselves. We must remember those who paved the way for us, and I look forward to working with our team at AEA to support our elderly community and continue this important mission together.”
Ishida was raised on Kauai and attended Kapaa High School. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Ecology, and went on to receive a Master of Arts in Healthcare Administration with a focus in Gerontology from Concordia University, Nebraska.
For more information on the County of Kauai Agency on Elderly Affairs, visit www.kauai.gov/elderly.
