Mayor Billy Kenoi announced the appointment of former state Land Use Commission Chairman Duane Kanuha as Hawaii County’s new planning director.

Kanuha served as the county’s deputy planning director from 1976 to 1984, and was planning director from 1988 to 1990. He was Hawaii island commissioner on the state Land Use Commission from 2005 to 2011, and was chairman of the commission from 2008 to 2009.

Planning Director Bobby Jean Leithead Todd will assume control of the county Department of Environmental Management.

Mayor Kenoi also announced the appointment of Laverne Omori as director of the Department of Research and Development, and Hilo bank manager Donn Mende as deputy director of Research and Development.

Kenoi also named Kona-based Executive Assistant Bobby Command as the new deputy planning director. Command will assume the position now held by attorney Margaret Masunaga, who is moving from the Planning Department to the county Office of the Corporation Counsel.

Kenoi also named former Hawai‘i Community Foundation program officer Clarysse Kami Nunokawa to the position of executive assistant to the mayor.