Schatz Announces Kaua‘i Managing Director Michael Dahilig As New Senior Policy Counsel

HONOLULU – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Michael A. Dahilig will serve as Senior Policy Counsel and will be based in his Hawai‘i office. Dahilig has more than a decade of experience in public policy, planning, law, and government affairs. He currently serves as Managing Director for the County of Kaua‘i, where he leads Mayor Derek Kawakami’s policy agenda and manages 14 departments and a more than $300 million operating budget. Dahilig is set to take on his new role in September.

“Mike brings years of public policy, management, and local political experience to this new position,” said Senator Schatz. “We are excited to have Mike take on this new role and continue to use his experience and skills to serve the people of Hawai‘i.”

Prior to his role as Managing Director, Dahilig worked as Planning Director and Deputy County Attorney for the County of Kaua‘i, and clerked for the Honorable Randal Valenciano, Chief Judge of the Fifth Circuit Court. He has also previously served as a volunteer legal counsel for the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center and the Filipino Chamber of Commerce. He holds a law degree from the University of Hawai‘i’s (UH) Richardson School of Law and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning also from UH. Born on O‘ahu, Dahilig is a Mililani native.

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