09/20/22 Jeffrey Hong nominated as Commissioner to the Honolulu Liquor Commission

Jeffrey Hong nominated as Commissioner to the Honolulu Liquor Commission

HONOLULU - Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced Tuesday the nomination of Jeffrey Hong as the newest commissioner on the Honolulu Liquor Commission. Hong is replacing former Honolulu Liquor Commission Chair Narsi Ganaban, who resigned from her position on July 21, 2022.

Hong's nomination to the Honolulu Liquor Commission is pending confirmation by the Honolulu City Council. If confirmed, Hong would finish Ganaban's term before being eligible for reappointment.

"My nomination of Jeff was based on his bringing incredible business acumen, extremely high-level technology know-how, and civil rights passion to one of the most important commissions in the City," said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. "I know that Jeff will be objective and fair with our industry and he, together with his fellow commissioners, will demand a culture that prioritizes equity, accountability and transparency.

"I am also extremely grateful for the many years of dedicated leadership and public service that Narsi contributed to both the Liquor Commission and to our communities," Mayor Blangiardi added. "The talents that she brought to her important work on the commission, particularly as a plan evaluator, will be sorely missed. We wish her and her family the best in all of their future endeavors."

Ganaban was first appointed to the Honolulu Liquor Commission on August 27, 2014 and was confirmed by the City Council on October 8, 2014.

Hong is a business entrepreneur in Hawaii's technology community. He founded Microsoft's Hawaii Office and is the current Chief Technology Officer and Founder of Techmana LLC, a software development and cybersecurity firm. He also has a military background, having served with the Hawaii Army National Guard as a military intelligence major.

Additionally, Hong is active at both the local and national levels with the civil right movements as a lay leader of the American Civil Liberties Union and is a member of the thirteen-person National Board Executive Committee. Hong is actively involved in multiple local civil rights efforts, including the pursuit of marriage equality. Finally, Hong is a board member of a Hawaii Island-based medical cannabis dispensary and has direct experience with the challenges of highly-regulated industries.

Hong is a graduate of Kaiser High School and Harvey Mudd College.

-PAU-