State economist Pearl Imada Iboshi has been tapped to serve as deputy director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

In making the announcement today, Gov. Linda Lingle said Imada Iboshi will take over the post from Mark Anderson, who will focus full time on serving as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) coordinator for the state
Imada Iboshi was the state’s economist since 1995 and has been a member of the Council on Revenues since 1997. She also heads DBEDT’s Research and Economic Analysis Division, which produces and distributes business information products including the State of Hawai‘i Data Book, census information through its State Data Center and economic and tourism research reports geared to business users.
“Having Pearl as a member of DBEDT’s leadership team will enable the department to continue its focus on strengthening our economy, attracting investments in emerging industries and developing business opportunities for local companies,” Lingle said in a statement.