HAWAI`I COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES DANIEL DINELL AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

For Immediate Release: December 10, 2003

HONOLULU – The Hawai`i Community Development Authority (HCDA), which oversees redevelopment of the Kaka`ako and Kalaeloa Districts, today named Daniel Dinell as Executive Director.  Dinell will report to the Authority and be responsible for HCDA staff supervision, budgeting and the negotiation and oversight of contracts.  As Executive Director, he will implement the Authority's policies and plans and work with public and private agencies and stakeholders toward the Districts’ redevelopment goals.  Dinell will assume his new duties on January 15.

“Given that Kaka`ako is the last major redevelopment area in urban Honolulu, it is highly important to help this dynamic community achieve its potential through public/private partnerships,” said Governor Linda Lingle.  “And Kalaeloa at historic Barbers Point holds great promise.  I have confidence in Mr. Dinell’s ability to do an outstanding job in developing these districts on behalf of the people of Hawai`i.”

“The Board unanimously agreed that Dan is the ideal candidate to build on the momentum and excitement that has been generated in Kaka`ako,” said Lori Ann Lum, HCDA board chair.  “As we move forward with the revitalization of Kalaeloa, his experience and enthusiasm will be invaluable.”

Born and raised in Honolulu, Dinell brings years of strategic planning experience to the Authority.  “Thanks to strong public/private partnerships, Kaka`ako is on the cusp of reaching its potential while Kalaeloa is poised to take off, “ according to Dinell.  “I see no more exciting place to be now in setting the stage for successful outcomes that contribute to Hawai`i’s economic vitality while enhancing our quality of life.”

Dinell was most recently with Hilton Hotels as Vice President, Strategic Planning & Community Affairs, where he was responsible for governmental relations, including securing entitlements for developments and coordinating multi-unit activities for Hilton’s Hawaii properties.  He was also responsible for strategic planning and community involvement for Hilton’s largest hotel and its flagship resort, Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa.  Dinell began his career with Hilton Hotels in Hawai`i in 1989.  In 1994, he transferred to Hilton’s world headquarters where he was responsible for developing and articulating the Hilton Hotel Division’s operating strategy and annual plan, in addition to establishing a planning framework and directing individual hotel business plan formation.

Prior to joining Hilton, Dinell, who is conversant in Japanese, served as liaison for the overseas division of Nippon Express Co. Ltd., in Tokyo, Japan, while attending the University of Tokyo.  Dinell completed his undergraduate work at Colorado College.

The HCDA was created by the 1976 State Legislature to bring about timely planning, regulation and development of underutilized areas. The strategically located, 670-acre Kaka`ako District was designated as the HCDA’s first community development district.  The 3,700-acre Kalaeloa District was added to HCDA’s scope of responsibility after the Barbers Point Naval Air Station Redevelopment Commission was phased out in 2002. 

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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus  
Senior Advisor - Communications  
Phone: 586-7705  

Theodore E. Liu
Director - DBEDT
Phone: 586-2355