Hawai‘i Meth Project Announces New Board Chair

Scott Kuioka. Hawai‘i Meth Project photo.

The Hawai‘i Meth Project has appointed Scott Kuioka as chairman of the organization’s board of directors.

As the vice president and chief investment officer for Island Insurance Company Ltd. and Tradewind Capital Group Inc., Kuioka brings over 15 years of experience in management investment to his role as chair.

His responsibilities will include leading the board, working with board members in directing the Hawai‘i Meth Project in setting strategic goals, approving its annual budget and advancing the organization’s mission statewide.

A graduate of ‘Iolani School, Kuioka earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, and a master’s in business administration from the University of San Francisco.

In 2014, Kuioka was recognized by Hawai‘i Business Magazine as “20 for the next 20: People to Watch 2014.” Kuioka is also an alumnus of the Pacific Century Fellows program and a Hawai‘i Asia Pacific Association Young Leader.

“Since joining our board earlier this year, Scott has been an invaluable asset to our collaborative work with the board of directors, so we are very excited to have him transition into this important leadership position,” said Georgianna DeCosta, executive director of the Hawai‘i Meth Project. “We are extremely grateful for the contributions of our former chairman, Mark de Reus, whose commitment to our mission of educating and empowering Hawai‘i’s youth has been steadfast since the very beginning of our community outreach efforts.”

The Hawai‘i Meth Project, launched in 2009, is a large-scale prevention program aimed at reducing methamphetamine use through public service messaging, public policy and community outreach.

The organization’s board of directors includes: Lori Abe, vice president of communications and marketing for the Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i; Powell W. Berger, entrepreneur, public relations professional and former lobbyist; Michael Spalding, president of Michael Spalding Real Estate Inc.; State Rep. Chris Lee (D-Kailua, Waimanalo), chair of the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection; Ulalia Woodside, regional assets manager for the Land Assets Division of Kamehameha Schools; and Mark de Reus, lead architect at de Reus Architects (who will remain on the board).

For more information, visit HawaiiMethProject.org.