Watanabe named county clerk

LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i County Council announced Tuesday that Interim County Clerk and former council services administrator Ricky Watanabe was selected for the position of county clerk.

“In his vast experience at the Council Services Division, Ricky Watanabe has proved an exemplary leader who takes great pride in his office, his staff and in serving the public,” Council Chair Jay Furfaro said in a press release.

The council received more than 20 resumes for the position, according to the release. The position had been vacant since Oct. 10 after former County Clerk Peter Nakamura — who served 12 years as clerk — accepted a senior planner position at the county Planning Department.

Watanabe’s appointment might have come as a surprise to many, since Furfaro said less than three months ago that Watanabe was not interested in the job.

Watanabe was sworn in as interim clerk Oct. 18. At that time, Furfaro said Watanabe had no interest in pursuing a permanent position as county clerk. The council placed local and off-island ads, and Furfaro also said at that time there were a couple of employees working for the council who had qualifications for the position.

Tuesday’s release stated the council received a number of responses, and five applicants were selected to participate in the interview process. The process included the submission of an essay, and answering general questions and other questions related to the county’s budget and the county charter.

Furfaro said in the release that Watanabe demonstrated he is “highly qualified” for the county clerk position during the interview process, due to his  knowledge in various areas of legislation and through his leadership as interim in the position.

The county clerk is an appointed position that oversees the Office of the County Clerk, Council Services Division and Elections Division. The position will last for the remainder of the 2010-2012 term which expires on Dec. 1, together with the current council body’s term. Elections for a new council will be held in November.

Potential pay raise

A newspaper ad in October seeking candidates for the position stated a college degree was preferred, not required, for the position — which by law could come with a salary more than that of Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. Nakamura’s annual salary as county clerk was $114,848. Carvalho’s annual salary is $114,490.

The ad was looking for candidates with five years of responsible administrative work and two years of experience in a county clerk’s office or similar experience providing support to a county council, board or commission.

Watanabe’s annual salary as council services administrator was $95,958, as shown in the current fiscal year’s budget.

Nakamura’s salary as senior planner is $85,428 annually, a $29,420 pay reduction from his former salary.

Furfaro did not respond by press time for a request on Watanabe’s new salary.

Following Nakamura’s departure, some members of the community had asked why Deputy County Clerk Eddie Topenio was not appointed to replace Nakamura. Furfaro said in October that Topenio’s primary responsibility was to oversee elections. Later this year, besides electing a new council, Kaua‘i voters will help elect the president and several other politicians for state and federal office.

Furfaro said in the release Tuesday that Watanabe has worked with the county for more than 27 years.

Watanabe originally began his employment with the county as a contractual coastal zone management inspector/technician in 1979.  After leaving a year later to pursue a master’s degree, he returned to Kaua‘i in 1984 as a legislative analyst with the county clerk’s office Council Services Division.

Born and raised on Kaua‘i, Watanabe is an alumni of Waimea High School. He holds a master of science degree and bachelor of science degree in human resources management from Missouri State University (renamed Truman University).

• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@ thegardenisland.com.