Tsuhako Named Maui Housing Director

Mayor Michael Victorino poses for a photo alongside new acting Director Lori Tsuhako (right) and Deputy Director Linda Munsell. PC: County of Maui / Chris Sugidono photo

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino today announced his appointment of Lori Tsuhako as Director of the Department of Housing and Human Concerns and Linda Munsell as Deputy Director.

In making the announcement today, Mayor Victorino said, “With her 32 years of experience as a social worker, and many of them with the County of Maui, I feel very confident that she will lead us, not only in housing, but in human concerns.  We cannot have one without the other.  It’s important to understand that even though our focus is on housing, we can never lose sight of all of the social services that take care of our kūpuna, our keiki, our disabled and many of those who are in need around our community.”

Lori Tsuhako (left) and Linda Munsell (right) take the oath of office today. PC: still image from live press conference feed via County of Maui.

Tsuhako responded to the news during a press conference announcement this morning saying, “I’m really proud to be here and I thank Mayor Victorino for the confidence that he has in me to continue to give my life to community service.  I think it continues a good tradition.  The mayor is very concerned, not only about our human concern needs, but most especially for our housing.  As you heard earlier, he understands that there’s a real intricate connection between housing and the health and well being of our community.”

Mayor Victorino also announced his appointment of Linda Munsell as Deputy Director pointing to “her years of experience not only outside of government or within the government, especially as a department Assistant Housing Administrator.  She has a Bachelors degree in Science and an Associates Degree in Accounting and Horticulture, which really plays into a lot of her strengths–which have been in the area of housing.”

Mayor Victorino offered his thoughts moving forward saying, “I think it’s a wonderful team we’ve put together in the housing and social service area.  For me, I am very excited, and wanting to say welcome ladies to your new positions.”

Interim Housing and Human Concerns Director William Spence completed his temporary appointment in the department on Friday and Tsuhako, who was previously the department’s Deputy Director has been managing the department until today’s official announcement.

Spence failed to gain council approval to the department’s top post.  Tsuhako’s appointment still faces council consideration.

The Department of Human Concerns has seven divisions and 129 employees. Its overall budget is more than $30 million.