Kiaaina Named Assistant Secretary for Interior Dept’s Insular Areas

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From a press release Tuesday (Sept. 10) from the White House:

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today applauded President Obama‘s intent to nominate Esther Puakela Kia‘aina to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas at the U.S. Department of the Interior. 

If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Kia’aina would lead the Department’s efforts to coordinate federal policy for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. She would also have the responsibility to administer and to oversee Federal assistance to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau.

“Born in Guam to Native Hawaiian parents, Esther brings extensive expertise and a keen understanding of the issues facing the U.S. territories and the freely associated states,” said Secretary Jewel. …

Kia’aina currently serves as the First Deputy Director of the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources. …

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Photo: Esther Kiaaina. (Courtesy)

—Chad Blair

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