(BIVN) – Hawaiʻi County Councilmembers recently pressed the new Director of Pubic Works to “balance” things out between East and West Hawaiʻi by keeping Kona-side deputy, Merrick Nishimoto, in place.

“I think it balances out the feeling of the community that there’s representation around the whole island,” Kona councilwoman Karen Eoff told newly-appointed DPW director David Yamamoto during a meeting held in Hilo. “One of my suggestions is just to keep that eye on the west-side by having a deputy,” Eoff continued. “I guess I could say I think Merrick [Nishimoto] has been doing an awesome job.”

“She took the words right out of my mouth,” said councilwoman Maile David, “and about having a balance on the east and the west side, as far as the deputy – Merrick – is a Kona boy. So I think that’s really important when you have someone that’s very close to the land, to the district, and to the people in doing your work.”

New councilwoman Rebecca Villegas echoed the thoughts. “I just think there’s great opportunity in this era of division nationally and globally,” Villegas said, “that we adopt here on the Big Island this opportunity to really collectively collaboratively connect with one another and utilize our resources, island-wide.”

Yamamoto was confirmed as the new Director of Public Works by the Hawai‘i County Council during the meeting.