Riki Hokama

Hokama has been active in NACo since 2001 as a member of the Board of Directors, Financial Services Corporation Board of Directors, Election Reform Task Force and the Finance Committee. He also served as chair of the Audit Committee and the Transportation Steering Committee.

Hokama’s 2014‐2015 Transportation and Infrastructure Initiative addressed the county role in promoting investments that support economic competitiveness, improve passenger travel, foster creative partnerships, ensure safety and enhance community quality of life. Key components of the initiative included strengthening the domestic economy, moving America’s food efficiently and maintaining a strong national defense.

Hokama was first elected to public office in 1978 as a delegate to the Hawaii State Constitutional Convention. Later, he was elected to serve on the Maui County Council from 1999 to 2009 and again in 2011. Positions formerly held on the Maui County Council include council chair and chair of the Budget and Finance Committee and the Economic Development Committee. He served as chair of the council’s Policy Committee and has been an advocate for the job creation, services for young and elderly residents and fiscally‐responsible government.

Hokama also served as a member of the Lanai Community Plan Advisory Committee, County Solid Waste Advisory Committee, State Community Services Commission and State Department of Transportation Harbors Task Force 2010 Update.  He is a community advocate for Kalaupapa, Kalawao County, island of Molokai, where Father Damien (now Saint Damien) cared for leprosy patients in the 1800s.

Raised on the island of Lanai, Hokama graduated from the University of Hawaii with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology. He previously worked for Castle & Cooke Company (Dole Pineapple Company), other private businesses and the Hawaii State Legislature. During his lifetime, he experienced the transformation of his home island from a major pineapple producer to a resort destination area.

Hokama enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, golfing and singing karaoke. He is avidly interested in Euro‐Asian military history.