HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0050.001 2024-2026TESTIMONY OF DARYN ARAI
before the Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs
Jenn Kagiwada, Chair
Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Vice Chair
DATE: Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Aloha, Chair Kagiwada and Vice Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and Members of the Committee,
SUBJECT: Communication No. 50
Appointment of WILLIAM V. BRILHANTE, JR. as Managing Director
I would like to offer my strong support of the appointment of William V. Brilhante, Jr. as
Managing Director.
I believe I first crossed paths with Mr. Brilhante in the early 1990's, when he was a firefighter
with the Hawaii County Fire Department. I then lost track of him, only to realize years later
that he earned his juris doctorate degree and was now practicing law. That impressed me!
Then years later, our paths cross again when he provided counsel and litigation support to the
Planning Department as its Deputy and Assistant Corporation Counsel, as well as human
resources support as the Deputy and Director of the Department of Human Resources.
Mr. Brilhante provided the Planning Department with the steady legal and human resources
support that it needed to properly navigate through some difficult and complex situations. And
that support extended through many County agencies over the years, giving Mr. Brilhante the
unique perspective of understanding the needs and operational characteristics of these varied
County agencies, a vital skillset to the position of Managing Director, who supervises of all the
County's departments, boards and commissions. His tenure as the department head of the
Department of Human Resources gives him this important perspective, as County government
and the services it provides is dependent on people getting the job done. Therefore, managing
County employees and providing for their needs and creating opportunities is vital to the
overall operations of the County government.
For these reasons, I respectfully ask for your support of the appointment of William V.
Brilhante, Jr. as Managing Director for the County of Hawaii.
With kind regards,
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Daryn Arai
PO Box 4501
Hilo, HI 96720