Hawaii County Council confirms Roy Takemoto as managing director after extended questions
May 12, 2026 | Hawaii County, Hawaii
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The Hawaii County Council confirmed Roy Takemoto as Hawaii County managing director on Dec. 4, voting 9-0 after an extended confirmation hearing in Hilo.
Mayor Harry Kim introduced Takemoto and recounted years of service, saying Takemoto has worked with the administration since 2000 and led planning and community-development initiatives. Takemoto told the council he has served in both deputy and private-sector roles and pledged to approach the managing-director duties “based on values and principles” and to rely on expert staff when needed. “Openness is my policy,” he said.
Council members pressed Takemoto on several issues, including a proposed Papayaʻko development near Hamakua that council member Val Poindexter said conflicted with a community development plan. Poindexter said she remained unconvinced and initially announced a “no” vote, saying the community deserved more outreach. Takemoto responded that the county had tried to work with developers to cluster housing and preserve agricultural land, and that a planned community outreach was postponed because of higher-profile tensions earlier in the year.
Several colleagues who have worked with Takemoto for years praised his background in planning and community development. Council member Tim Richards said he had been “impressed” by Takemoto’s recent public presentations and credited him with moving long-delayed projects forward. Multiple council members asked Takemoto how he would formalize communication with the council; he said he supported establishing regular lines of communication with the legislature, business groups, nonprofits and the council and that he welcomed frank feedback.
Takemoto was asked whether he would be prepared to “step up” if the mayor could not serve; he said he accepted that responsibility and would rely on trusted staff and experts to make difficult decisions, adding that he would work to earn public trust.
After the questioning, the council called a roll-call vote to confirm the nomination. The clerk recorded nine votes in favor; the motion carried.
The council recessed briefly to congratulate Takemoto before taking up the remainder of the agenda.
Mayor Harry Kim introduced Takemoto and recounted years of service, saying Takemoto has worked with the administration since 2000 and led planning and community-development initiatives. Takemoto told the council he has served in both deputy and private-sector roles and pledged to approach the managing-director duties “based on values and principles” and to rely on expert staff when needed. “Openness is my policy,” he said.
Council members pressed Takemoto on several issues, including a proposed Papayaʻko development near Hamakua that council member Val Poindexter said conflicted with a community development plan. Poindexter said she remained unconvinced and initially announced a “no” vote, saying the community deserved more outreach. Takemoto responded that the county had tried to work with developers to cluster housing and preserve agricultural land, and that a planned community outreach was postponed because of higher-profile tensions earlier in the year.
Several colleagues who have worked with Takemoto for years praised his background in planning and community development. Council member Tim Richards said he had been “impressed” by Takemoto’s recent public presentations and credited him with moving long-delayed projects forward. Multiple council members asked Takemoto how he would formalize communication with the council; he said he supported establishing regular lines of communication with the legislature, business groups, nonprofits and the council and that he welcomed frank feedback.
Takemoto was asked whether he would be prepared to “step up” if the mayor could not serve; he said he accepted that responsibility and would rely on trusted staff and experts to make difficult decisions, adding that he would work to earn public trust.
After the questioning, the council called a roll-call vote to confirm the nomination. The clerk recorded nine votes in favor; the motion carried.
The council recessed briefly to congratulate Takemoto before taking up the remainder of the agenda.
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