Sommer Tokihiro has been appointed as the Director of Human Resources for the County of Hawaiʻi. The appointment was effective November 16, 2023, following the departure of Waylen Leopoldino on June 30, 2023.
The Merit Appeals Board, which is responsible for the recruitment process, conducted an internal search within the County to ensure a comprehensive and fair selection process.
Before being appointed Director, Tokihiro served as HR Manager II in the Workers’ Compensation Division of the County of Hawaiʻi’s Department of Human Resources from April 2019 to November 2023. In this capacity, Tokihiro administered the County’s self-insured workers’ compensation program, demonstrating her commitment to employee well-being and organizational efficiency.
She also worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with Case Management Works – Hawai‘i, Inc., from October 2012 to March 2017. In this role she assisted individuals in returning to work following work-related injuries, showcasing her supportive and empathic approach to employee relations.
Tokihiro holds a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from San Diego State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. Additionally, she is a SHRM – Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).
In a press release Mayor Roth said, “Since her appointment, Director Tokihiro and I have worked closely to advance the County’s Human Resources program to ensure a positive and productive work environment for all our hardworking employees. We both strongly believe in investing in our employees to help build stronger and more resilient communities. At the heart of that investment is aloha – which Sommer has plenty of. A special mahalo to all on our Merrit Appeals Board who worked diligently throughout the months long candidate selection process.”
Photo credit: Office of Mayor Mitch Roth
