County Swears In New Deputy Director For Parks and Recreation

Līhuʻe, December 29, 2025. Preston Chong was officially sworn in as Deputy Director of the County of Kaua‘i Department of Parks and Recreation at the Office of the Mayor, a move county leaders framed as preserving institutional continuity as the department enters a new budget cycle.

Chong has been with the department since January 2020, serving as Parks Fiscal Officer where he managed personnel matters, budgeting, contracts, accounts payable, and administration of the Park Security Officer (Ranger) program. He has served as Acting Deputy Director since January 2025, providing continuity in leadership and supporting the department in day to day operations across the island. As Deputy Director he will continue assisting in oversight of fiscal management, administrative coordination, park maintenance support, recreational programming, and long term planning to keep County parks and facilities safe, accessible, and well maintained.

“Preston brings strong financial expertise, institutional knowledge, and steady leadership to this role,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “He understands both the operational and fiscal responsibilities that come with managing our parks and recreational facilities, and his experience within the department has prepared him well to continue serving our communities effectively.”

The appointment cements fiscal stewardship at a senior management level as the County prepares annual budgets and evaluates contracts for park maintenance and programming. Residents who use county parks are likely to see the effects of that stewardship in how maintenance schedules are prioritized, how recreation programs are funded, and how security staffing is allocated across the island.

“I am honored to continue serving the people of Kaua‘i in this new capacity,” Chong said. “Our parks and recreation programs are vital community resources, and I look forward to working alongside our dedicated staff to strengthen these services for residents and visitors alike.”

Chong is a graduate of Waimea High School and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. For information on county parks and programming residents can consult the Department of Parks and Recreation website at kauai.gov/parks to follow meeting schedules, budget items, and program updates.