Kaohu and Krueger Recommended for Maui Clerk Leadership

Maui Now photo.

Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee today announced her recommendations of Kathy Kaohu to be the new clerk and James Krueger to serve as the deputy county clerk for Maui County.

Kaohu currently serves an executive aide for Councilmember Tamara Paltin.  Her name will surface for consideration at the full council meeting on Friday, Feb. 7.   Krueger currently serves as a legislative analyst in the Office of Council Services and be considered for the deputy clerk vacancy.

“We conducted an exhaustive search both externally and internally to find the best candidates to serve in these roles for the Office of the County Clerk going forward,” said Lee.  “After interviews with several applicants, we ultimately decided to promote two internal candidates from within the legislative branch. I am confident that Kathy and James, if approved, will do themselves, the council, and the entirety of Maui County proud as the new clerk and deputy clerk.”

David Raatz, the supervising legislative attorney for the Office of Council Services, will serve as interim clerk starting Feb. 1 until a new clerk and deputy clerk are appointed, she said.

According to Lee, former Maui County Clerk Josiah Nishita and his deputy, Maggie Clark, vacated their posts at the Office of the County Clerk today.  Nishita fills the Deputy Managing Director vacancy in the Mayor’s administration created when Tyson Miyake was named Chief of Staff.  Miyake filled the vacancy created by Deidre Tegarden, who resigned from the post effective Dec. 15, to return to her former position as Executive Director of the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center.

“Josiah and Maggie leave big shoes to fill,” Lee said. “They also have done everything they could to make the transition for their replacements as smooth as possible and I’m grateful to them both for that.”

If approved by the council, Kaohu and Krueger will assume the leadership roles in the clerk’s office in an election year that will feature for the first time elections by mail, with the primary election on Aug. 8 and general election on Nov. 3, 2020.