Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

IT’S hard to replace a good leader.

But that’s exactly what Fil-Am Roland Sagum III did when he campaigned and won the 16th district seat in the Hawaii State Legislature House of Representatives in 2006.

Sagum succeeded retiring District 16 state House Rep. Bertha Kawakami, who had held the post for nearly 20 years.

Sagum represents District 16 covering West Kauai and Niihau.

It was his strong passion and beliefs to represent the people of Kauai and Niihau in the State Legislature that won over voters.

Since being elected, he hasn’t disappointed. Sagum currently serves on the Energy & Environmental Protection, Finance, Housing Interim Task Force on Smart Growth, and Water, Land, & Ocean Resources committees.

Prior to serving District 16, Sagum was a respected business and community leader.

Sagum is currently the Vice President of Kikiaola Land Company, LTD. in Waimea, Kauai. He is responsible for strategically budgets, plans, prioritizes and negotiates all planning and development efforts for Kikiaola Land Company’s 600-acre property while maintaining excellent community, government and corporate relations.

He also holds principal position with Applied Planning Systems which is a land use consulting firm that provides technical support in the procurement of discretionary entitlements, urban & land use planning, and environmental studies, to public and private entities, according to his website.

He has also served as deputy planning commissioner under mayors Tony Kunimura and JoAnn Yukimura from 1987 to 1992, as well as he has been a member of various boards and commissions including the Kauai Civil Service Commission, the Kauai General Plan Update Advisory Committee, the Kauai Housing Advisory Committee and the Marine and Coastal Zone Advisory Council, according a The Garden Island, a Kaui newspaper.

He received his bachelors in Biology at Chaminade University and an Associate in Science Degree, Hotel Management from the University of Hawaii.

With his leadership credentials, Sagum is sure to become not only a good leader but a great leader for West Kaui.

( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published on June 17, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. B2 )