LOS ANGELES — Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell appointed Roy Amemiya as managing director of the City and County of Honolulu.
Honolulu's managing director is the second ranking executive in Honolulu's administration after the mayor. The position is appointed by the mayor with council approval.
Amemiya replaces Ember Shinn, who came out of retirement to work for Caldwell.
"When he plucked me from retirement and I committed to working with him for two years, he asked me to 'just start' working on his priorities," Shinn said. "I feel that I have accomplished this and will leave the city with a strong priority to move forward on the mayor's priorities."
Shinn will remain in the position through Dec. 31 then transition to part-time work on the administration's fiscal year 2016 budget proposal and the launch of its new Office of Strategic Development.
Amemiya, currently chief executive officer and president of Olelo Community Television, starts work Jan. 1. He led the city's Department of Budget and Fiscal Services under Mayor Jeremy Harris from 1997 to 2000. He also worked as a senior vice president for Central Pacific Bank and a vice president for Bank of Hawaii.
"A lot of important work and exciting work is being done at the city, especially in building a strong infrastructure for future generations," Amemiya said. "Public service has been a rewarding part of my career, and I want to thank Mayor Caldwell for this opportunity."
Amemiya knows the city well "having effectively managed the city's fiscal services department for several years," and brings valuable private banking experience, the mayor said. Caldwell also commended Shinn for her service to the city and thanked her for coming out of retirement.
