Kawakami appoints Emily Ishida as new executive on aging for Kaua‘i County

A 7-year veteran of the Kaua‘i County Agency on Elderly Affairs was sworn in Tuesday to take the agency’s helm.

Emily Ishida is the county’s new executive on aging, taking over for Kealoha Takahashi who retired in November. Ishida has been a program specialist at the Agency on Elderly Affairs since 2017, overseeing its information and referral program and working with 6 team members and case management consumers.

She was appointed to her new position by Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami.

“We are excited to have Emily take the helm in her new role as I’m confident her experience and background, along with her deep dedication to our elderly community, will only strengthen the Agency on Elderly Affairs along with its associates and programs,” said Kawakami. “We look forward to seeing the department continue to progress and thrive under her leadership.”

Ishida served in the county Department of Public Works Solid Waste Division as the recycling specialist prior to joining the Agency on Elderly Affairs, spearheading sustainability initiatives and ensuring programs were compliant with environmental regulations.

During her tenure with the county, she served a key role as the lead program director on the county’s Emergency Management Incident Command team during the COVID-19 pandemic and was the liaison between the elderly population and community.

“I am truly honored to continue serving the Agency on Elderly Affairs in this new capacity and would like to thank Mayor Kawakami and our team for this opportunity, which I do not take lightly,” said Ishida. “I have a passion for helping our aging population, especially those who can’t assist themselves.”

She was raised on Kaua‘i, attended Kapa‘a High School and is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine, with a bachelor of arts degree in social ecology. Ishida went on to receive a master of arts degress in health care administration with a focus in gerontology from Concordia University in Nebraska.

“We must remember those who paved the way for us, and I look forward to working with our team at [the Agency on Elderly Affairs] to support our elderly community and continue this important mission together,” she said.

Visit the Kaua‘i County Agency on Elderly Affairs website for additional information.