Nalani Brun Appointed to Lead Office of Economic Development           

Nalani Brun. Contributed photo

Mayor Derek Kawakami appointed Nalani Kaauwai Brun as the County of Kaua‘i director for the Office of Economic Development, effective April 13, according to a news release by the County of Kaua‘i.

“I am proud to select Nalani for this very important position,” Kawakami said. “As our community continues to social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nalani’s experience in the Office of Economic Development and her lifelong dedication to our island community are crucial foundations as we work to reopen our economy.”

Originally from Wailua, Nalani is a proud graduate of Kapa‘a High School and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She joined the County of Kaua‘i in 1994 as a Tourism Recovery Specialist with the Office of Economic Development, focusing on bringing back the visitor industry slowly after Hurricane Iniki. Nalani eventually took on the Economic Development Specialist IV position.

“My mother and father lived a life of service to this community and I am proud to continue the tradition in every way I can,” Brun said. “I am proud to be part of a dream team at the Office of Economic Development who also feel the same way.”

In 2005 she left the county for four years to work with a Native Hawaiian Healthcare Organization to build a community exercise program then went back to the county in 2008, eventually working up to Program Administrative Officer for the Office of Economic Development.