Our Team

Director's Message



Aloha mai kākou, 

As the director of the Hawai'i Public Housing Authority (HPHA), I am proud to introduce you to the work we do and HPHA’s online home. Since 1935, our organization has been dedicated to providing Hawai‘i’s residents with adequate and affordable housing, economic opportunity, and suitable living environments that are free from discrimination. 

Today, we continue working to create and support vibrant communities for our most vulnerable citizens. Through income-based public housing, a variety of voucher programs, and a rental supplement program, we serve more than 45,000 low-income families and individuals across Hawaiʻi. It is our utmost priority that these spaces remain safe, sanitary, and comfortable, as we care for our kūpuna and community throughout difficult times. We’re here to support you at every stage in finding a place to call home.

On this website, you will be able to access helpful resources, including the waitlist for housing opportunities, rent payment portal, and other HPHA services. For those on our affordable housing waitlist, know that we are committed to providing those in need with housing as fast as possible.

We are always striving to better serve our community, so we welcome any feedback, questions, or concerns you may have. 

Mālama pono,

Hakim Ouansafi
Executive Director, Hawai'i Public Housing Authority

Board of Directors

The HPHA is the sole statewide Public Housing Agency for the State of Hawai‘i, established by the Territory of Hawai‘i in 1935 to provide safe, decent and sanitary housing for low-income residents. Guided by an eleven member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor of Hawai‘i, today the HPHA's Federal and State public housing and rental assistance programs assist over 45,000 people statewide.

Robert Hall
Chairperson
Representing:
City & County of Oahu
Term: 
July 1. 2022 to June 30, 2026
Betty Lou Larson
Vice Chairperson
Representing:
Persons with Disabilities
Term: 
Holdover Member
Susan Kunz
Secretary
Representing:
County of Hawai'i
Term: 
July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027
Ryan Yamane
Representing:
Department of Human Services, Ex-officio
Term: 
Tied to Directorship
Joseph H. Campos II
Representing:
DHS Designee
Term: 
Scott Glenn
Representing:
Office of the Governor, Ex-officio
Term: 
Lisa Anne Darcy
Representing:
County of Maui
Term: 
July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2028
Roy Katsuda
Representing:
Low Income/Homeless
Term: 
July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2026
Christyl Nagao
Representing:
County of Kauai
Term: 
May 1, 2022 to June 30, 2026
Todd Taniguchi
Representing:
At-Large
Term: 
Holdover Member
Robert Hall
Chairperson
Representing:
City & County of Oahu
Term: 
July 1. 2022 to June 30, 2026
Betty Lou Larson
Vice Chairperson
Representing:
Persons with Disabilities
Term: 
Holdover Member
Susan Kunz
Secretary
Representing:
County of Hawai'i
Term: 
July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027
Ryan Yamane
Representing:
Department of Human Services, Ex-officio
Term: 
Tied to Directorship
Joseph H. Campos II
Representing:
DHS Designee
Term: 
Scott Glenn
Representing:
Office of the Governor, Ex-officio
Term: 
Lisa Anne Darcy
Representing:
County of Maui
Term: 
July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2028
Roy Katsuda
Representing:
Low Income/Homeless
Term: 
July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2026
Christyl Nagao
Representing:
County of Kauai
Term: 
May 1, 2022 to June 30, 2026
Todd Taniguchi
Representing:
At-Large
Term: 
Holdover Member

Office of the Executive Director Team

Hakim Ouansafi
Executive Director
Barbara Arashiro
Executive Assistant
Bennett Liu
Chief Financial Officer
Acting: Gary Nakatsu
Acting Housing Choice Voucher Branch Chief
Jennifer Sugita
Property Management & Maintenance Services Branch Chief
Becky Choi
State Housing Development Administrator
Rick Sogawa
Contract & Procurement Officer
Ryan Akamine
Chief Compliance Officer
Shirley Befitel
Human Resources and Safety Officer
Nelson Lee
Systems Analyst Administrator
Benjamin Park
Chief Housing Planner
Dallis Ontiveros
Housing Information Officer
Hakim Ouansafi
Executive Director

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Barbara Arashiro
Executive Assistant

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Bennett Liu
Chief Financial Officer

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Acting: Gary Nakatsu
Acting Housing Choice Voucher Branch Chief

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Jennifer Sugita
Property Management & Maintenance Services Branch Chief

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Becky Choi
State Housing Development Administrator

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Rick Sogawa
Contract & Procurement Officer

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Ryan Akamine
Chief Compliance Officer

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Shirley Befitel
Human Resources and Safety Officer

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Nelson Lee
Systems Analyst Administrator

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Benjamin Park
Chief Housing Planner

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Dallis Ontiveros
Housing Information Officer

TBD