LIHUE — First Deputy County Attorney Mauna Kea Trask has been nominated by Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. to lead the county’s legal department once County Attorney Al Castillo resigns next week. “Al will be returning to his successful criminal defense
LIHUE — First Deputy County Attorney Mauna Kea Trask has been nominated by Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. to lead the county’s legal department once County Attorney Al Castillo resigns next week.
“Al will be returning to his successful criminal defense and family law practice, and I wish him the best,” Carvalho wrote in a statement on Monday.
Castillo has held his position in the county’s Office of the County Attorney for the past six years.
The newly elected council, consisting of Mason Chock Sr., Gary Hooser, Ross Kagawa, Arryl Kaneshiro, KipuKai Kualii, Mel Rapozo, and JoAnn Yuki-mura, is expected to consider the mayor’s nomination at its inaugural meeting on Monday, Dec. 1.
“Under Al’s mentorship, our deputies have gained invaluable experience and knowledge, and they work effectively together as a team,” Carvalho said. “I believe the office is well positioned to move forward under Mauna Kea’s leadership.”
Castillo, in a statement, said Trask has accomplished a lot during his time in the Office of the County Attorney, including the expansion of Hanalei and Black Pot Beach Park, creating stewardship agreements with native Hawaiian and community organizations and using a ho‘oponopono (reconciliation and forgiveness) process to help complete the county’s federal obligations for Ke Ala Hele Makalae, the county’s Eastside costal path.
Prior to joining the Office of the County Attorney five years ago, Trask worked in the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney on Kauai and the Office of the Public Defender on Oahu. The 34-year-old University of Hawaii and Kamehameha Schools alumnus also served as a clerk for judges in the 1st and 5th Circuit Courts.
Castillo, when reached by The Garden Island, declined further comment.
