The 43-year-old athletic director at Kaimuki High School will replace Ed Kiyuna, who had held the position under a slightly different title, executive secretary, for 18 years.
"It's hard to describe how I feel," said Toyama. "It's both exciting and scary, because I'll be leaving something I've been comfortable with here at Kaimuki."
Toyama emerged from a field of seven candidates who cleared the selection committee's first cut. He said he had considered himself a long shot to get the job.
"It was a unanimous vote by the HHSAA executive board," said HHSAA president Al Nagasako. Before the board received the nomination, Toyama was chosen by a selection committee composed of principals and other representatives of the state's five leagues.
Toyama, a former football coach and Kaimuki High's athletic director since 1990, has gained credibility in recent years as an advocate for the student-athlete.
Two years ago, he chaired an Oahu Interscholastic Association task force that successfully lobbied the state legislature to provide Hawaii public high schools with their first full-time nationally certified athletic trainers. His efforts were largely responsible for the initial approval of money to salary 15 trainers.
"Dwight's vision is student-centered," said Nagasako. "All his decisions are related to the student-athlete. I really thought that was very positive."
Toyama will sign a two-year contract and his performance will be reviewed annually. Nagasako said the executive director's salary is still being worked out.
Toyama will be responsible for administering and funding postseason statewide tournaments and other projects that involve Hawaii's public and private high school varsity athletic programs.
With the HHSAA having become a self-subsisting body last summer, Toyama's priorities will revolve around finding innovative ways to pump money into the association.
Nagasako said the association's projected budget is in the $450,000 range. He said the immediate financial future of the HHSAA is secure but he said Toyama will be counted upon to come up with creative ways to keep association solvent and flourishing.
"We have to get involved with the private sector," said Toyama. "I'd like to organize a fundraising committee with noted corporate leaders, CEOs, and athletes who appreciate the needs of the HHSAA."
Nagasako said he sees Toyama as an administrator who can unify the leagues.
"With the five leagues working together, the potential of the HHSAA is tremendous," said Toyama.
The new HHSAA executive director also said he'd like to coordinate with youth sports organizations throughout the state to come up with a standard philosophy.
"I'd like to see that because they all end up feeding into the high schools," said Toyama.
Among his other plans are finding a way to give Hawaii student-athletes a chance to travel to the mainland and Japan for postseason competition, and getting all coaches certified.