Don Medeiros is the new Director for the Department of Transportation. Maui State Circuit Court Judge Rhonda Loo officially swore in Medeiros at Mayor Alan Arakawa’s office on Jan 6.
Arakawa appointed Medeiros to replace former department director Jo Ann Johnson-Winer, who retired at the beginning of the year after 15 years of public service. Johnson-Winer served 10 years as a country council-member prior to her five year stint as transpiration director.
“The Maui Bus system grew leaps and bounds under Jo Ann’s watch and we all wish her the best,” said Mayor Arakawa. “But Don is a veteran of the transpiration business and I know he’ll take us to the next level over the course of these next several years. Transpiration issues are becoming more and more prevalent in our community and Don is more than up to the task of addressing these concerns.”
Medeiros previously served as an Executive Assistant for the Department of Management, assigned to implement the county’s vehicle policy program. Medeiros had been appointed Transportation Director under the Tavares administration in 2007 and was originally the county’s first official transportation department hire when the Apana administration appointed him the “Transit Czar” in 2002.
Under Medeiros’ leadership, the Maui Bus system grew significantly–from 29,000 boardings a year in 2004 to 2.3 million in 2010.
Medeiros was born and raised on Maui and is a graduate from St. Anthony’s Boys School and Maunaolu College. His pre-county transportation background includes working for Grayline Maui Sightseeing Tours, Hawaiian Discovery Tours, Budget Rent-A-Car and Maui Economic Opportunity.
Johnson-Winer will continue to be active on the board of the West Maui Hospital Foundation.
Photo: County of Maui/Ryan Piros
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