Matsuyama named Kauaʻi County’s managing director, replacing Dahilig who joins U.S. Sen. Schatz’ office

Kauaʻi native Reiko Matsuyama has been appointed as the new managing director of the County of Kaua‘i by Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami.

She will begin Aug. 7, 2023, overseeing 14 departments and a more than $300 million operating budget. She will replace Michael A. Dahilig, who will be joining U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz’ office in September. Dahilig worked 15 years for the county.

Matsuyama joined the County of Kaua‘i in January 2019 as Director of Finance during Kawakami’s first term in office. She previously was the Director of Finance for Grove Farm Company and a senior auditor for Deloitte & Touche.

“Reiko is an extremely hard worker and we’ve seen the tremendous impact she’s made over the past four years, not just in the operations of the Finance Department but also in our people,” Kawakami said in a county press release. “The decision to bring her on board was an easy one, and we are excited to see her continue to grow and thrive in this new capacity as our Managing Director.

“This announcement is also bittersweet because we will truly miss Mike and all that he brings to our office. If you know Mike, you know that he is someone who always brings people together. While his presence will be missed in our office, we know it won’t be long before we see him again either in his official capacity or just around the island.”

Matsuyama graduated from Kaua‘i High School and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Accounting with a Minor in Economics from Southern Oregon University. She also graduated from the University of Oregon with a Master’s of Accountancy.

Over the past 15 years, Matsuyama has served on numerous boards in the community including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kaua‘i, Kiwanis Club of Kaua‘i, the Kaua‘i Economic Development Board and as a trustee for the State of Hawai‘i Deferred Compensation Plan.

She also has served as a coach for Kaua‘i High School varsity girls soccer and Waimea High School cross country. She is an alumni of the Leadership Kaua‘i program and Pacific Century Fellows.

“I am humbled and honored to continue serving the County of Kaua‘i, and I am grateful to Mayor Kawakami, my family and our entire team of county associates for this opportunity to make a difference in our community,” Matsuyama said. “Thank you, also, to Managing Director Dahilig for his guidance and help in making this a smooth transition for our office and staff. I look forward to expanding the great progress that has been made within the Department of Finance throughout our County as a whole.”

Dahilig will serve as senior policy counsel for Schatz and will be based in his Hawai‘i office.

“Mike brings years of public policy, management and local political experience to this new position,” Schatz said in a press release. “We are excited to have Mike take on this new role and continue to use his experience and skills to serve the people of Hawai‘i.”

Dahilig also has worked as Planning Director and Deputy County Attorney for the County of Kaua‘i, and clerked for the Honorable Randal Valenciano, Chief Judge of the Fifth Circuit Court.

He has also previously served as a volunteer legal counsel for the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center and the Filipino Chamber of Commerce. He holds a law degree from the University of Hawai‘i’s Richardson School of Law and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning also from UH. Born on O‘ahu, Dahilig is a Mililani native.