Dean Nishina has been named executive director for the Division of Consumer Advocacy, effective Monday, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs announced today.

Nishina will oversee the division’s representation of consumer interests before the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission and other local and federal agencies.

“We are extremely pleased that Mr. Nishina has accepted this important position to advocate on behalf of all Hawai‘i consumers,” said Larry Reifurth, director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, in a news release. “Mr. Nishina has been with the department for more than 16 years, and has a wealth of experience in the area of public utilities.”

Nishina has been recently serving as public utilities/transportation administrator for the Division of Consumer Advocacy, but has filled various roles of increasing responsibility within the division since 1992. Before that, Nishina worked as an audit and financial consulting senior for Arthur Andersen & Co, LLP, where he specialized in auditing and accounting of electric and gas utilities, government and telecommunications industries.

“I look forward to helping the division fulfill its responsibilities during this dynamic and challenging period,” Nishina said. “We have to get Hawai‘i to a position of energy independence. Helping implement the groundbreaking Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative is a top priority.”