Veteran County administrator Wallace G. “Wally” Rezentes Sr. filed nomination papers Thursday to run for a seat on the Kaua’i County Council. Rezentes, who currently serves as the administrative assistant in Mayor Maryanne Kusaka’s administration, is a certified public accountant
Veteran County administrator Wallace G. “Wally” Rezentes Sr. filed nomination papers Thursday to run for a seat on the Kaua’i County Council.
Rezentes, who currently serves as the administrative assistant in Mayor Maryanne Kusaka’s administration, is a certified public accountant with 12 years experience working in county government.
“I feel my background and experience with the County will be an asset to me as a legislator, and I have a strong desire to continue to serve the people of Kaua’i,” said Rezentes.
Rezentes has served under four Kaua’i mayors: Kona Vidinha, Kaua’i first mayor; Francis Ching; Eduardo Malapit; and Kusaka, in the positions of deputy finance director, finance director and administrative assistant.
“Working with four Mayors and dozens of council members over the years has helped me to develop an ability to positively address challenging issues,” Rezentes said. “I strongly believe that to accomplish the goals of the county, the administration and the council must work together in a productive partnership. We will always have differences of opinion, but a hostile atmosphere between the branches of government only serves to prevent progress,” said Rezentes.
Rezentes also cites key issues facing the county, and his desire to be a part of the solution, as a reason for running.
“The ownership of Kauai Electric, solid waste issues such as finding a new landfill site and investing in new technologies for landfill diversion are very, very important right now,” said Rezentes. “I also feel that we need to upgrade our parks facilities – especially our neighborhood centers. Some of them are 30 years old and we need to give them the attention they deserve.” As a councilman, Rezentes said he will encourage the county administration to seek federal grants for such upgrades to public facilities. He also feels bathrooms at county parks, especially those on the North Shore, should receive more attention due to their high usage.
He also strongly advocates building an adequate fire station for the Kapa’a area in the Kawaihau District. “This is our most populated district by far, and it deserves a proper fire station.”
Rezentes is a graduate of Maryknoll High School, and the University of Hawai’i, where he received a degree in business administration with a major in accounting and a minor in economics. He worked at the state Office of the Auditor and the accounting/consulting firm KPMG in Honolulu before moving his family to Kaua’i in 1972.
In addition to working for the County of Kaua’i, Rezentes has worked as a CPA for 20 years in private practice, and also represented Lihu’e commercial property owner Harry Weinberg on zoning issues before the county. The accomplishment of which he is most proud was negotiating for the sale of the Lihue Shopping Center to the County of Kaua’i. That property is now the site of the Lihue Civic Center – Kaua’i’s county seat.
Rezentes is married to the former Gwen English, daughter of John and Emmaline English. They have three children: Wally Jr., Kimberly Brewster (who resides in Arizona) and Holly Leayman. They have four grandchildren and are expecting their fifth in August.
“Nothing would make me happier than to continue my work to help make Kaua’i a better place for the children of this island,” said Rezentes.
