HONOLULU — Gov. Josh Green has appointed another former legislator to fill a key leadership position, this time tapping former state House colleague Ryan Yamane to head the Department of Human Services.

What You Need To Know

  • Ryan Yamane, who was previously appointed by Green to serve as deputy director of the Department of Human Resources Development, succeeds Cathy Betts, who will leave the DHS in May

  • Yamane served in the House from 2004 to 2023, chairing its committees on human services and health and homelessness

  • Yamane’s appointment must be approved by the state Senate

  • As head of DHS, Yamane will oversee some 2,400 positions statewide and manage an overall budget of $4.2 billion

Yamane, who previously appointed by Green to serve as deputy director of the Department of Human Resources Development succeeds Cathy Betts, who will leave the DHS in May.

Yamane served in the House from 2004 to 2023, chairing its committees on human services and health and homelessness.

“I have worked side by side with Ryan for nearly two decades, and I am grateful for his willingness to step up, especially in this critical time where we are supporting the housing and recovery of Maui wildfire survivors, as well as the many people across our state who rely on the department,” Green said in a statement released on Friday. “He will immediately work to care for the people of Hawaii through the many programs the Department of Human Services offers.”

Yamane’s appointment must still be approved by the state Senate.

“That Gov. Green has named me to this role is a great honor, and I will work hard every day to meet the challenge and live up to his confidence in me,” Yamane said. “Serving the public that relies on DHS services is a role requiring empathy and compassion as well as knowledge of state systems we can leverage to improve lives.”

As head of DHS, Yamane will oversee some 2,400 positions statewide and manage an overall budget of $4.2 billion.

During his time in office, Green has repeatedly turned to former legislative colleagues to serve challenging leadership positions, including former Rep. James Tokioka, who was initially appointed to serve as deputy director of the Airports Division of the Department of Transportation and later director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; and John Mizuno, who was appointed the state’s coordinator on homelessness.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.