(BIVN) – The head administrator of the Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply is stepping down after 3 decades of service.
DWS Manager-Chief Engineer, Keith K. Okamoto, P.E., announced last week that he will retire before the end of the year. His last day of work will be November 30, 2026.
The DWS says information regarding interim and permanent leadership of the department will be announced at a later date.
The DWS also provided this detailed write-up of Okamoto’s 30 years with the department in a recent news release:
Okamoto joined DWS in 1996 and progressed through several engineering and leadership positions before becoming Manager-Chief Engineer in 2015. During his career, he has helped lead one of Hawaiʻi’s largest municipal water utilities, overseeing over 150 employees, approximately 48,000 customer accounts, and 23 public water systems serving communities throughout Hawaiʻi Island.
Reflecting on his retirement, Okamoto said his greatest appreciation is for the people with whom he has had the opportunity to work.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve alongside our dedicated team at the Department of Water Supply,” said Okamoto. “Together, we have provided a vital service to the people and communities of Hawaiʻi Island. I am deeply grateful for the commitment and dedication of our employees, who work every day to ensure that our customers have safe, reliable drinking water.”
“Over the last 30 years, I have also had the opportunity to make lifelong friends, both within our organization and with people and organizations throughout our community and beyond. I am truly grateful for what this career has provided me, both professionally and personally.”
During his tenure as Manager-Chief Engineer, Okamoto guided the Department through significant challenges, infrastructure needs, and numerous emergencies, including the 2018 Kīlauea eruption, the COVID-19 pandemic, drought, Kona Low flooding, earthquakes, and Hurricanes Lala and Nolo in 2026. Through these challenges, he and DWS employees worked to maintain continuity of operations and reliable delivery of safe drinking water.
Among the major projects and initiatives during his tenure was the recovery and rebuilding of water infrastructure following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption in lower Puna. The Department secured more than $40 million in FEMA Public Assistance funding to restore and strengthen critical water infrastructure.
Okamoto also helped secure nearly $9 million in State of Hawaiʻi legislative appropriations for the Lālāmilo 10-Million-Gallon Reservoir Project, which will be the largest potable drinking water storage reservoir in the State of Hawaiʻi. The project will strengthen long-term water system reliability and drought resilience while helping reduce costs for DWS customers.
Looking beyond immediate needs, Okamoto placed a strong emphasis on long-term planning, infrastructure investment, and organizational sustainability. During his tenure, DWS advanced a 20- year capital improvement strategy valued at approximately $329 million, initiated an update of its Strategic and Business Plan using the EPA and American Water Works Association’s Effective Utility Management framework, and secured significant state and federal funding for critical water system improvements.
“Water is something most people don’t think about until they open the tap, and nothing comes out,” Okamoto said. “That is why the work of the Department is so important. Our responsibility is not simply to operate water systems today, but to plan and invest for the needs of future generations.”
As he prepares to retire, Okamoto said he is confident in the people who will carry the Department forward.
“I leave knowing that the Department has a talented and dedicated workforce and a strong foundation for the future,” said Okamoto. “There will always be challenges facing a public water utility, but I know the men and women of DWS will continue to meet those challenges with professionalism, dedication, and a commitment to the communities we serve.”
Okamoto expressed his appreciation to the Water Board, County leadership, employees, customers, regulatory and legislative partners, and the many community organizations and individuals with whom he has worked throughout his career.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the people of Hawaiʻi Island and to have been part of something that is so important to our communities,” said Okamoto. “Water infrastructure can last for generations, and what we do today can affect our communities for decades. I am proud of the work we have accomplished together and grateful for the friendships and relationships that have made this career so meaningful.”
