Leaders named to county housing department

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WAILUKU - Lori Tsuhako and Jo-Ann Ridao will take over as director and deputy director, respectively, of the county Department of Housing and Human Concerns on Wednesday, Mayor Charmaine Tavares announced Monday.

Tsuhako will move up from her current position as deputy director, and Ridao will leave her job as the mayor's senior executive assistant and housing commissioner to assume the post as deputy director.

"Both appointees have experience and skills in collaboration and management of human services programs - critical abilities needed to lead a large department that provides important services to our county's families, senior citizens, children and immigrants," Tavares said in a statement. "Since joining my administration last year, each has consistently demonstrated her commitment to serving the public and developing partnerships to help find solutions to our county's housing needs."

Tsuhako replaces Vanessa Medeiros, who resigned earlier this month. Medeiros' resignation goes into effect today.

County Council Member Mike Molina said Tavares made a "very good choice." Medeiros had a rocky relationship with the council, and Molina had been one of her critics, complaining that she was unresponsive and hard to work with.

But he said Tsuhako had been "available" and communicative with council members, and that his dealings with her to date had gone "very well."

"I'm optimistic the lines of communication will be opened," he said.

Both appointees are native Mauians.

Tsuhako earned a bachelor's degree with distinction in social work and a master's degree in social work from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, according to an announcement. She is a licensed social worker and has worked extensively with programs that provide services to children and families.

Ridao is the former managing director of Lokahi Pacific, a nonprofit organization that develops housing projects and provides loans to small businesses. She is a graduate of the Weinberg Fellows program. As the county housing commissioner, she has been responsible for spearheading implementation of the county Residential Workforce Housing Policy.

Tsuhako will earn $99,200 annually as director, and Ridao's annual pay will be $93,900. The county Salary Commission sets annual salaries for county elected officials, directors and deputy directors.