Jacky Takakura has been appointed by Mayor Richard Bissen to serve as Maui County’s planning director. Courtesy photo

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has appointed Jacky Takakura, a former deputy planning director, to serve as the county’s planning director.

According to the mayor’s office, Planning Director Kate Blystone has announced she will resign for personal reasons, effective Jan. 31. Takakura’s appointment is expected to take effect Feb. 1 and is subject to confirmation by the Maui County Council.

“Jacky has built a strong and consistent track record of accomplishment during her many years of service with the county,” Bissen said in a news release. “She is a proven leader who has demonstrated the ability to navigate complex challenges, make sound decisions and move critical projects forward. Her professionalism, judgment and commitment to public service have earned the trust and respect of colleagues across the county, and I am confident in her ability to lead the Planning Department during this critical time.”

The mayor’s office said Takakura has committed to a 90-day action plan aimed at strengthening the Planning Department’s capacity by advancing initiatives to support expedited permitting, housing supply, public safety infrastructure and post-disaster recovery.

“I’m honored by Mayor Bissen’s confidence and committed to leading the Department of Planning with clarity, urgency and accountability,” Takakura said. “My focus is on improving how the department delivers — by strengthening permitting processes, advancing recovery and housing initiatives, and ensuring the department operates in a responsive, transparent and effective manner for the community we serve.”

One proposed action includes increasing permitting capacity by expanding expedited permitting services through contractor 4LEAF to support Special Management Area reviews outside of Lahaina.

Other efforts would expedite the creation of new hotel zoning districts H-3 and H-4 by the Maui County Council. The districts were recommended by a temporary investigative group studying the impacts of Bill 9, which will phase out short-term rentals in Maui’s apartment districts over the next three to five years.

Additional actions would allow two accessory dwelling units in residential districts and advance land use entitlements for the Haiku and Olowalu fire stations. The plan also calls for proposing legislation to expedite post-disaster residential rebuild permits in Lahaina and update the Lahaina National Historic Landmark District to allow Front Street Apartments to rebuild up to 35 feet.

Takakura began her career with the county in 1998 and has served in both the Department of Water Supply and the Planning Department.

Within planning, she has worked in the Zoning and Enforcement Division, served as deputy planning director from July to December 2022 and most recently held the position of Long Range Division Planning Program administrator since January 2023.

Takakura grew up in Kahului and is a graduate of Baldwin High School.

She earned bachelor’s degrees in business administration and Japanese language and literature from the University of Washington in Seattle and a professional certificate in urban and regional planning from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in December 2021.

Prior to joining the county, Takakura worked for Ernst & Young Telecommunications Consulting in Seattle and taught English in Japan.