History of the office

Prior to 1968, the county had an elected Board of Supervisors, which preceeded the County Council, with the chairman serving as the Executive Officer for the County of Hawai‘i. Beginning in 1968 the voters elected its first mayor, Shunichi Kimura, who had been the chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

The Mayor serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the County of Hawai‘i.

Chairmen of the Board of Supervisors

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1905-1908
John T. Moir

1909-1910
W. A. Todd

1911-1913
James D. Lewis

1914-1915
David Ewaliko

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1916-1923
Samuel Kauhane

1924-1944
Samuel Mahuka Spencer
SPENCER, SAMUEL MAHUKA, county auditor, Hilo, Hawaii; born in Waimea, Hawaii, July 18, 1875; son of Ashford and Puakalehua (Auwae) Spencer; educated at Kamehameha Schools, Honolulu, 1893; married Alice Kinimaka in Honolulu, July 5, 1895; four children, Jeanette, Harry, Alice and Edith Spencer. Began business career as clerk in Territory Land Office, Honolulu, 1893-95; deputy sheriff, Waimea, Hawaii, 1895-97; bookkeeper, H. Waterhouse Trust Co., Honolulu, 1897-02; bookkeeper, Parker Ranch, Waimea, Hawaii, 1902-12; deputy county clerk, County of Hawaii, 1912-14; deputy auditor, County of Hawaii, 1914-15; has been auditor since 1915. Is a notary public and was admitted to practise law in District Court. Member F. & A. M.; A. O. F.

1945-1948
Clem A. Akina

1949-1959
James Kealoha

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1959-1962
Thomas K. “Lofty” Cook

1963-1964
Helene H. Hale

1965-1968
Shunichi Kimura

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