Ridao Appointed Director of Housing for Incoming Admin
By Wendy Osher
Maui’s Jo-Ann Ridao was selected as the County’s incoming director for the Department of Housing & Human Concerns. Ridao currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Department. She will be accompanied by longtime Maui teacher, Janice Shishido, who was appointed to the Deputy Director post by Mayor-Elect Alan Arakawa.
Jo-Ann Ridao and Janice Shishido were selected as Director and Deputy Director, respectively, to head the county's Housing & Human Concerns Department. Courtesy Photos.
As Director, Ridao will be responsible for managing and overseeing the operations and budgets of seven divisions. This includes Housing, the Office on Aging, Kaunoa Senior Center, Immigration Services, Grants Management, the Volunteer Center, and the Early Childhood Center.
Prior to her service with the Housing Department, Ridao worked as Senior Executive Assistant under Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares. She also served as Managing Director of Lokahi Pacific for 14 years, and was a Housing Specialist II for the County of Maui. Ridao earned accolades in 1998 when she was named SBA Small Business Advocate of the Year. She was also named Maui’s Outstanding Executive Director.
Janice Shishido, meantime, has 30 years experience as a school teacher. She earned her Bachelor’s degree and 5th-year professional diploma from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Shishido currently serves as the chairperson for the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. She is also a member of the State Political Action Committee for Hawaii State Teachers Association, State Chaplain for Alpha Delta Kappa – Hawaii Gamma Chapter, president of Kiwanis Club of the Valley Isle, and director of Brain Gym.
Jo-Ann Ridao. Courtesy Photo.
Janice Shishido. Courtesy Photo.
“Having being involved with a variety of non-profit organizations, I look forward to encouraging collaboration and partnerships among public and private organizations to meet the communities’ needs during these difficult economic times,” said Shishido.
Mayor-Elect Arakawa commended the two, describing them as deeply passionate. “I am confident that their experience in the nonprofit and government sectors and leadership skills to address issues relating to affordable housing, seniors including baby boomers, immigration and grants will be critical in taking the Department to a whole, other level,” said Arakawa.
(Posted by Wendy Osher, supporting information courtesy Arakawa Transition Team)
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