LIHUE — Tyler Saito was installed on Monday as the new County Attorney, according to an announcement by Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami.
Saito was confirmed by the Kauai County Council earlier in the month, according to a county press release.
Saito succeeds Matthew Bracken, who is moving from more than a decade of county service to join the Kauai office of McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon, LLP.
“Tyler has consistently demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and a deep understanding of the law,” Kawakami said in the announcement. “His experience across both litigation and advisory work makes him exceptionally well-suited to lead the Office of the County Attorney into its next chapter.”
Saito moves into the position following his service as a First Deputy County Attorney, and several years of service to the County of Kauai. As First Deputy, he advised the Department of Water, Board of Water, Police Commission, and numerous other county departments. He previously worked as a Deputy County Attorney and a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Kauai Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be the next County Attorney,” Saito said. “I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Kauai in this role by providing sound advice and counsel to the county and its many dedicated public servants who work diligently for the Kauai community each day.”
Before joining the County of Kauai, Saito clerked for Judge Rowena A. Somerville at the First Circuit Court in Honolulu. Saito earned his Juris Doctor degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he was an Ulu Lehua Scholar and served as senior editor of the Asian-Pacific Law and Policy Journal. Saito is also a graduate of Seattle University, and a proud alumnus of Parker School, located in Waimea on Hawaii Island.
In the announcement, Kawakami also expressed the county’s gratitude to Bracken for seven years of service as the County Attorney. Bracken contributed more than 10 years of total service to the county, and played a key role in defending the county in court, reviewing legislation, and advising county departments and elected officials.
“Matt’s leadership and steady guidance have helped navigate some of the most complex legal matters facing the county,” Kawakami said. “We thank him for his years of dedicated service and wish him continued success in his new endeavor.”
Source: The Garden Island
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