Schatz, Hirono Statement On Appointment Of Chris Kanazawa To Be USDA Rural Development State Director For Hawai‘i

HONOLULU – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and  Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on President Joe Biden’s appointment of Chris Kanazawa to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Hawai‘i and the Western Pacific.

“Chris has worked with Hawai‘i’s agricultural businesses and communities for decades, and has held this position before. He is experienced, well-qualified, and understands the needs of Hawai‘i’s rural communities. We are confident he will continue the work of supporting our local agricultural economy with the federal resources it needs to grow and thrive.”

A Honolulu resident, Chris Kanazawa previously served as the USDA Hawai‘i State Director for Rural Development under the Obama Administration. During that time, the Hawai‘i State Office provided more than $2.5 billion in loans and grants to assist residential, commercial, public infrastructure, renewable energy, utility, and agriculture projects. Kanazawa previously held the positions of President and CEO of Parker Ranch, Inc. in Waimea, Hawai‘i and President and CEO of Coldwell Banker Commercial Pacific Properties. Kanazawa is a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business.

USDA Rural Development State Directors serve as the chief executive officer of Rural Development in the states and territories and are tasked with carrying out the mission of Rural Development to the benefit of everyone in rural America. In collaboration with the guidance of the National Office, State Directors are responsible for promoting the mission and strategic goals of Rural Development and provide key leadership to develop and support a productive, diverse, and inclusive state workforce.

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