MAYOR ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS

            (Monday, July 13, 2009) – Mayor Mufi Hannemann today announced two appointments to his cabinet:  Gail Haraguchi as director of the Department of Customer Services and Richard Haru as deputy director of the Department of Parks and Recreation.

            Haraguchi replaces Dana Takahara-Dias, who has been named head coach of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine basketball team.  Takahara-Dias was with the Hannemann administration since the beginning, and also led the annual Mufi Hannemann Basketball Jamboree and Team Aloha.  Takahara-Dias’ last day with the City is July 14.

            Haraguchi’s appointment is effective July 15.  She is the deputy parks director.  Before that, she was the deputy director of the Department of Enterprise Services.

            Haru is the vice principal at Castle High School.  His appointment is effective August 3.

Before becoming a vice principal, Haru was athletics director at Castle for seven years, and an administrator, teacher, and counselor at a number of high and intermediate schools on Oahu.  He coached football, track, and basketball at several high schools for 20 years.  He has been a member of the Board of Parks and Recreation since 2005.

            Mayor Hannemann said, “Gail Haraguchi has been a mainstay of my administration since day one.  She brings tremendous energy and innovative ideas to her duties, and I know she’ll do very well in strengthening the customer-oriented services of her new department.

            “Richard Haru is a very well-known and respected figure in island sports and recreation circles.  With his administrative and coaching background, as well as his service on the Parks Board, he’ll be able to hit the ground running in his new position as deputy director.  I’m looking forward to having him work with Parks Director Les Chang in helping the agency meet its obligations and the challenges of the coming years.”

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Contact:

Bill Brennan, 768-6928