Masagatani confirmed as Hawaiian Home Lands director
The state Senate unanimously confirmed Jobie Masagatani Friday as the director of the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.
Masagatani, a former deputy director in the department who also had administrative roles at the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs, The Queen’s Health Systems and Kamehameha Schools, has been serving as interim director since she was appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie last May.
Several on the nine-member commission that oversees the department had opposed her confirmation, calling her divisive and claiming that she worked against Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, but she also attracted broad support.