Updated at 6:56 a.m., Friday, May 18, 2007

Director named for Maui's environmental department

Advertiser Staff

Cheryl K. Okuma will be the director of Maui County's new Department of Environment Management. Handout photo

Cheryl K. Okuma has been appointed the first director of Maui County's new Department of Environment Management.

Okuma, who has worked extensively for the City and County of Honolulu, has been the Honolulu City and County's deputy director of Wastewater Management/Environmental Services the past four years, served seven years as an attorney for the City and County, and had a two-year stint as first deputy corporation counsel. She most recently served as the City and County of Honolulu's director of human resources for four years.

The current Department of Public Works and Environmental Management will be divided into two departments, effective July 1. The Department of Public Works will oversee the county's highways and drainage systems and administer building, housing and subdivision codes and laws. The new Department of Environmental Management will oversee county wastewater and solid waste operations.