Search panel picks
DeCosta to be city clerk
A search committee has selected Board of Water Supply spokeswoman Denise DeCosta to be the new city clerk.
"The committee combed through the applicants, interviewed quite a number of them and were universally very impressed with Denise's credentials, with her management experience, with her ability to relate to people on various levels and with her media experience," said Councilwoman Barbara Marshall, chairwoman of the four-member search committee, who added that they had 60 applicants.
"I think they want someone who is comfortable dealing with the public and dealing with the media, and I like working with people and I think that was important to them," DeCosta said. "It's a well-run office. I expect to support continuing the good work of the people who are there if I'm confirmed."
The search for a new clerk came after Genny Wong retired July 1.
The city clerk is the chief elections officer for the county and is also responsible for maintaining city records, legislation and rules.
The Council is slated to take up DeCosta's nomination on Wednesday.
"She's very interested in the electoral process, and she has a lot of really good ideas for increasing voter registration and voter turnout, and that impressed the committee," Marshall said. "We had no applicants with major election experience. We thought maybe somebody from state elections office would apply, but nobody did."
DeCosta has previously run for office, including for a seat as an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee. She has also been active in native Hawaiian causes, usually going by the name Mahealani Cypher, that included opposition to the H-3 freeway.
"Many of our applicants have some political experience in the past, one way or the other, but this is an apolitical office and she won't be involved in any sort of campaigning or any of that type of thing at this point," Marshall said.
"I see my role ... as very neutral, and I'm there to do a job and serve the people," DeCosta said.
Wong's salary was between $85,000 and $86,000, Marshall said. A resolution will be introduced calling for the salaries of the city clerk, the auditor and the head of the Office of Council Services to be in line with department directors beginning next fiscal year, Marshall said. City department heads currently make $99,807 a year.
DeCosta said that it is unlikely that former City Councilman Jon Yoshimura, who is currently on contract in DeCosta's office, will take over for her at the Board of Water Supply should the Council confirm her Wednesday.
"He's just working part time for us on contract. We have a civil service system and also have other qualified people here should I have need to leave," she said. "The Board of Water Supply has several good people who can do my job."
Also on the search committee were Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, former city clerk Ray Pua and retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Frances Mossman.
