Administration

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Provides administrative and organizational support services to all the divisions/sections and band to achieve the development and implementation of the department’s programs and services.

Vision Statement:

Service is our Game, Satisfaction is our Aim.

Mission Statement:

To Provide a wide array of services for the public with Excellence, Integrity and Aloha.

Administrators:

Director

Maurice C. Messina

Maurice C. Messina was born and raised in Louisiana and moved with his wife to Hawaii Island in 2006. He is a Navy Veteran, having served in numerous capacities ranging from combat to the Jag Corps as a Legal Specialist, where he earned his degree in Criminal Justice. Maurice is a current mentor in the Big Island Veterans Treatment Court and has managed numerous private and non-profit businesses in Hawaii. Maurice has held several positions in the County of Hawaii, including Chief of Staff in the prior administration, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation, and Legal Assistant with the Hawaiʻi County Prosecutors Office focusing on community-related issues, special task forces, and cold-case investigations.

Deputy Director

Michelle Malia Hiraishi

As a military “brat”, Michelle Hiraishi was born and raised on Oahu, and then lived primarily overseas in Germany. She is an Army Veteran, having served in the Medical Service Corps after earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and master’s degree in Counseling. In 2000, Michelle moved to Hawai‘i Island and has since served in leadership roles at Hawai‘i Island YWCA, and as the Director of the non-profits Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi and The Arc of Hilo. She is a long-time volunteer with family court in the Children In Transition Program, and serves on several non-profit boards. Michelle lives in Puna with her husband and four children.

Private Secretary

Brittany Iyo

Brittany Iyo was born and raised in Kaumana. She attended and graduated from Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus and received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Prior to being appointed to Private Secretary, Brittany was a clerk with the Department which allowed her to learn the basic operations of such a large and complex department.