Gill Steps Down From Hi’ipaka Post

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After less than a year on the job, Gary Gill stepped down recently from his post as executive director of Hi’ipaka, the office created by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to manage Waimea Valley.

According to Hi’ipaka manager Johnathan Scheuer, Gill left because his managerial style was not in sync with how OHA wanted things done.

“We came to a mutual understanding that it was time for him to move on,” said Scheuer. “Gary’s a great guy and we wish nothing but the best. We shared a vision for Waimea, in terms of its natural and cultural resources, but had different opinions on how to get there.”

Gail Ann Chew is serving as interim executive director while OHA searches for a new leader. Chew has been at Waimea since December.

While she would not comment about Gill’s departure, Chew did say she is enjoying the job.

“It’s a great experience being in the valley,” she said. “I’ve not only learned a lot from the people who are working there, but also people from the community have been very generous with there time.” She noted that she’s unlikely to apply for the permanent job.

“We’re working on finalizing the process to go out to look,” said Scheuer.

The director would oversee three operations - natural resources (plants and wildlife), cultural programs and the $2.5-million annual business.“The revenue is not the purpose for the valley to exist, but it supports the conservation and cultural management. The ideal candidate would be someone who has a lot of experience in managing all three.”

Waimea Valley also received an award from NOAA last month for carefully recording information from the valley’s weather gauge for the past 25 years.

“Climate change is arguably one of the greatest global threats today,” added Chew. “We’re proud that the valley has been able to assist scientists and scholars by providing valuable information to the National Weather Service for so many years.”