Isle GOP finance director
named interim chairmanBrennon Morioka, a Honolulu engineer and lecturer at the University of Hawaii, has been named interim chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party, officials announced Friday.
Morioka takes over for Micah Kane, who was appointed last month to serve in Gov. Linda Lingle's Cabinet as director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.
Kane had succeeded Lingle, who served as state party chairwoman from 1999-2001 before resigning to run for governor this year.
"I believe that the direction the Republican Party has taken in Hawaii has gained in momentum because of progressive vision and the inclusive type of Republican leadership we have had over the last four years," Morioka said in a news release.
Morioka, an Iolani School graduate, most recently served as the finance director for the party since last January.
He is to serve out the remainder of Kane's term until the party officers are elected by delegates to the GOP state convention in May.
Waikiki Health Center chief joins AlohaCare
The Rev. Frank Chong, executive director of the Waikiki Health Center for 25 years, has been named by AlohaCare as its public policy specialist.John McComas, chief executive officer of AlohaCare, Hawaii's third-largest health plan, said: "For many years, Frank has been the voice at the state Capitol for those in need. He has devoted much of his life navigating the legislative process on behalf of the underserved."
He said Chong will help tell about AlohaCare's mission to provide health insurance to low-income families through the state QUEST program so more families can obtain services.
Chong serves on many local and national boards and committees, including the Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum, American Cancer Society, Alliance for Health and Human Services, and Hawaii Public Health Association.
He previously served on the AlohaCare board of directors, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Council of Churches and Coalition Against Homelessness.
He has a master's degree in social work and a certificate in public administration from the University of Hawaii and a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary, New York City. He is a lecturer at the School of Social Work and has been on the adjunct faculty of the UH School of Public Health.
AlohaCare serves more than 43,000 QUEST health plan members in Hawaii, mostly children.
"I'm anxious to help tell the AlohaCare story to our policy-makers so that all of Hawaii's families can have access to good health care," Chong said.
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