WAILUKU, Hawaii — A new department charged with supporting and enhancing the social wellbeing of Maui residents began operations Monday with the swearing in of Lori Tsuhako as director of the Department of Human Concerns. 

What You Need To Know

  • Tsuhako serving as director of the former Department of Housing and Human Concerns under three city administrations
  • Jessica Crouse and Paul Barany were sworn in as deputy director of human concerns and deputy director of public works, respectively
  • The Department of Housing and Human Concerns was split into two separate departments by a 2022 ballot measure
  • The new Department of Human Concerns will a wide range of community needs through a combination of direct services administered by the department, grant support to nonprofit service providers, and collaboration and partnerships among public and private organizations

Tsuhako serving as director of the former Department of Housing and Human Concerns under three city administrations. She was confirmed for her new position by the Maui County Council on June 21.

Also Monday, Jessica Crouse and Paul Barany were sworn in as deputy director of human concerns and deputy director of public works, respectively. As deputy directors, neither were subject to county approval.

The Department of Housing and Human Concerns was split into two separate departments by a 2022 ballot measure.

The new Department of Human Concerns will handle a wide range of community needs through a combination of direct services administered by the department, grant support to nonprofit service providers, and collaboration and partnerships among public and private organizations.

“Public service is an important and sacrificial calling, especially in the wake of a disaster,” said Maui Mayor Richard Bissen. “The County of Maui offers deep mahalo to Director Tsuhako, along with deputies Crouse and Barany, for their willingness to serve Maui County’s communities as we continue to recover and rebuild. Their expertise, work ethic and aloha for our islands will help move our departments and our county forward.” 

Tsuhako has 38 years of experience as a professional social worker in the fields of child welfare, criminal justice, substance abuse education and prevention and homelessness. She was previously an administrator of the state Homeless Programs Office. Tsuhako also is a licensed social worker with certification from the national Academy of Certified Social Workers. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Crouse worked in the County Department of Housing and Human Concerns Housing Division for five years. More recently, she founded and led Crouse Consulting LLC, a management and business leadership consulting firm. Born and raised on Maui, Crouse obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in public administration, both from Arizona State University.

Barany replaces Wendy Taomoto as public works deputy director. He had served as the Public Works Highways Division Construction and Maintenance superintendent since Nov. 2000. Prior to moving to Maui, he worked in engineering and operations positions on the East Coast. Barany has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Seton Hall University in New Jersey. 

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