Council's post-shakeup leader says youth won't be hindrance
By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Thirty-year-old freshman City Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz became the city's youngest council chairman during a brief meeting yesterday.
Chairman: Donovan Dela Cruz Vice chairwoman: Ann Kobayashi Floor leader: Romy Cachola Committee chairpersons Budget: Ann Kobayashi Executive Matters: Romy Cachola Parks: Mike Gabbard* Planning: Barbara Marshall Public Safety: Gary Okino* Public Works and Economic Development : Rod Tam* Transportation: Nestor Garcia Zoning: Charles Djou * Gabbard replaces Tam as Parks Committee chair, Okino replaces Dela Cruz as Public Safety Committee chair and Tam replaces Gabbard as Public Works and Economic Development Committee chair. Source: City Council
Only Dela Cruz's predecessor, Gary Okino, raised objections to the council shakeup, although council members Mike Gabbard and Nestor Garcia were conspicuously absent.
New lineup
The move to replace Okino as chairman led to a power grab that left Gabbard and Garcia in the minority, but Dela Cruz said he hopes he can bring the council back together.
"One of the things that we're going to try to do within the next couple months is a public caucus so that we can really collectively establish what the council's priorities are and what direction we need to go," Dela Cruz said.
Assuming the chairmanship brings a corner office, a raise to $48,450 from $43,350 and a heightened public image, but Dela Cruz listed different reasons for wanting to lead the council.
"I think my desire to make a difference, my desire to want to work with everyone, my commitment, I think those definitely are driving forces," he said.
Okino, a retired city planner, was ousted after publicly sparring with Budget Chairwoman Ann Kobayashi over the city budget and unsuccessfully trying to reorganize the Budget Committee.
Dela Cruz, who represents the district covering Wahiawa, North Shore and 'Ahuimanu, does not see his age as a hindrance.
He said he is open to learning and that he realizes he needs to work with all of the members collectively.
"Every single member has a lot to offer," he said.
A 1995 graduate of the University of Oregon, Dela Cruz works part-time as the marketing director for Watermark Publishing, which published his three books, "The Okazu Guide," "The Puka Guide" and "The Omiyage Guide."
Before that, he was an account supervisor for McNeil Wilson Communications, where he was responsible for the O'ahu Visitors Bureau account.
"I have a strong business background, and efficiency and effectiveness are my key priorities," he said.
Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
