Johnson

WAILUKU — Maui County Mayor-elect Alan Arakawa announced last week his appointment of County Councilwoman Jo Anne Johnson as the incoming transportation director of the County of Maui.

During her tenure as West Maui’s councilmember, Johnson served as chair of the Parks & Economic Development and Economic Development, Agriculture and Recreation committees.

She was also instrumental in allocating $25,000 from her office budget to pay for a transportation infrastructure workshop that brought experts from the Mainland to share expertise and raise awareness of the complexities of traffic and roadway plans.

“Throughout the ten years she has served on the County Council, Jo Anne has shown tremendous compassion, leadership and a willingness to help our community. She is innovative and passionate and has proven her commitment to make Maui County the best it possibly can be. It’s for these reasons that I’m pleased that she will be a critical member of my team, where she will continue to serve our Maui Nui community,” said Arakawa.

“I am completely committed to doing the best possible job for the people of Maui in the area of transportation. Since the area of transportation touches every sector of our community, and affects virtually everything we do, it is an honor that I have been selected to serve the administration and our people at this critical time,” said Johnson.

Takamori

“I am known for my innovative thinking and also my tenacity in solving problems, and with budgetary constraints we face, it will require careful planning and a creative approach to financing and delivery of services to meet the growing needs of our people.”

Arakawa also announced his appointment of Marc Takamori as incoming deputy director of the Department of Transportation.

Takamori received his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering with a minor in Engineering Management from the University of Pacific in Stockton, California.

He is currently employed as a network administrator for Oceanic Laboratories Inc. on Oahu. While at Oceanit, he has also served as a systems integration engineer.

“I appreciate that Mayor-elect Arakawa has given me the opportunity to serve as deputy director of the Department of Transportation to help move the Maui bus system and other initiatives forward,” said Takamori.

“Jo Anne and Marc possess the talents and drive that we were looking for in these critical positions. I am excited that they will be part of our team to address our island’s transportation system and other transportation-related issues,” said Arakawa.