Roy Nishida, former Kaua’i liaison for Gov. Ben Cayetano, is the County of Kaua’i’s new coordinator in the war against use and sale of illicit drugs on the island. Nishida is set to take the position on April 16. He
Roy Nishida, former Kaua’i liaison for Gov. Ben Cayetano, is the County of Kaua’i’s new coordinator in the war against use and sale of illicit drugs on the island.
Nishida is set to take the position on April 16.
He also served for 21 years as president and CEO of Kauai Economic Opportunity, and worked for the state as Self-Sufficiency and Support Services Division Branch Manager in the Department of Human Service.
Most recently, Nishida was the Makin Olmstead Facilitator at the Department of Health.
In a prepared statement, Nishida said he sees the position as a coordination tool so when various agencies try to resolve the drug crisis, they are doing it with one focus and one effort.
“If we do not resolve the epidemic the community as a whole will suffer,” he said. “People will be and already are deeply affected. It’s tearing families apart.”
Nishida is active with the United Way of Kauai, Kauai Human Services Council, Developmentally Disabled Council, Kauai Drug Free Coalition and the Kauai Economic Opportunity Development Board. He also serves as the Kauai Division March of Dimes president.
He lives in Kapa’a with his wife Leila.
