Moderator

Brenda Iokepa-Moses

Deputy Director - County of Hawaiʻi

Department of Environmental Management

In my current role I support my Director in the management of over 200 employees within the Solid Waste/Waste Water Divisions.  Oversight of 22 transfer stations, wastewater for the island of Hawaiʻi, derelict and abandoned vehicle and recycling programs for the State.  Former appointment of State Director for USDA Rural Development utilized  leadership experience to oversee Rural Development programs in a customer-focused manner to restore prosperity in rural Hawaiʻi, American Samoa and the Western Pacific. She brings to Department of Environmental Management a history of hands-on work with farmers and ranchers in soil and water, horticultural practices and land lease and purchasing negotiations. Her planning and operations employment with owners of rural land in Hawaiʻi has given her decades of experience in establishing common ground between farmers and property owners to benefit the future of agriculture. 2013-2019 Iokepa-Moses served as President of the Hawaiʻi Association of Conservation Districts. She led members in 16 districts across the state, assisting with public affairs and management. She also served as Chairperson on the Ka`u Soil and Water Conservation Board, was past president of Ka`u Farm Bureau, and volunteered for the service organization O Ka`u Kakou. She has more than 20 years of experience with the Army reserves (retired SFC), a paralegal degree, business courses at the University of Hawaiʻi and courses in real estate, construction engineering and leadership development. She is married with three children.   Iokepa-Moses began her new role on December 21, 2020.