HHF began the year by promoting John Hagihara, AICP to Principal and Vice President; Gail Renard, LEED AP, Robyn Sweesy, LEED AP, and Gene Yong, AICP to Associate Principal; and Matt Hom, Oliver Gaskell, AICP, Cindy Gamiao, and Diane Yamamoto to Associate. The promotions recognize members of the firm who lead and facilitate excellence through their work, and they will play a pivotal role in bringing the company forward as HHF continues its leadership transition strategy.
Principal
John Hagihara, AICP | Principal / Vice President
Over the past decade at HHF, John has demonstrated exceptional leadership and versatile management skill, leading planning projects ranging from environmental studies, to land use entitlements and facilities planning. In recent years he has built an award-winning portfolio of multimodal transportation planning projects. His higher profile work has included the O‘ahu Bike Plan, Bikeshare Station Planning for Biki, Complete Streets planning in Honolulu and in Kahului, and managing complex NEPA EAs for several infrastructure, energy, and new building projects throughout Hawai‘i and Guam. In his role as Principal, he will continue to advance HHF’s excellence in environmental and multimodal transportation planning and support the company’s diverse planning portfolio.
Associate Principal
Gail Renard, LEED AP | Senior Project Manager / Associate Principal
With 33 years of professional experience at HHF, Gail is a master environmental and land use planner and project manager. She is adept at guiding complex and high visibility projects through both Federal and State environmental processes, advancing projects that make a difference to Hawai‘i families. Gail’s wide-ranging portfolio includes planning for Koa Ridge Development, campus planning for UH community colleges on O‘ahu and Maui, federal installation planning in Hawai‘i and Japan, and a large portfolio of infrastructure projects throughout Hawai‘i and Guam.
Robyn Sweesy, ASLA, LEED AP | Senior Project Manager / Associate Principal
Robyn is a key member of HHF’s leadership team with over 30 years of both planning and landscape architecture experience. She has seamlessly integrated her expertise in a diverse portfolio of projects, including the award-winning Hilo Bayfront Trails Master Plan and Waikoloa Bowl outdoor amphitheater as well as the Ford Island Interpretive Trail, Kawainui-Hāmākua Complex Master Plan, and many large-scale installation master planning assignments in Hawai‘i, Guam, and Japan, including a recent study of all DoD landholdings in the State. In the community, Robyn has served as president of Mānoa Community Garden, Honolulu Community Recreational Gardening Program, and is a frequent natural resources conservation volunteer. Professionally, she has served as President and Vice-President of the American Society of Landscape Architects Hawai‘i Chapter.
Gene Yong, AICP | Senior Project Manager / Associate Principal
Over Gene’s 34-year planning career, he has built and maintained a wide network of relationships with industry colleagues, institutional clients, and the local planning community in Hawai‘i. In the past four years at HHF, Gene’s ability to quickly assess and identify critical issues, his outside-the-box approach to problem solving, his deliberative approach to managing complex and quickly moving situations, and his skill at business development make him invaluable to the firm. In the community, Gene has served as a Past President of APA Hawai‘i, an Officer for Hui Hanahau‘oli, on the Board of Directors for the Early School, and as a member of the Long-Range Planning Committee for First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu at Ko‘olau.
Associate
Matt Hom | Senior Planner / Associate
In his seven years at HHF, Matt has contributed significantly to the success of planning work across the spectrum of HHF’s diverse portfolio. Matt has been an important contributor to projects such as the high profile Kawainui-Hāmākua Marsh Complex EIS and Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery Expansion EIS, environmental reviews of all State housing projects, land use and entitlement planning for State agencies, and federal installation master plans in Hawai‘i and Japan. Matt serves as a Committee Chair for APA Hawai‘i, producing the Chapter’s quarterly newsletter.
Oliver Gaskell, AICP | Senior Planner / Associate
In just three years, Oliver has become a vital member of HHF’s staff, playing key roles on Territory-wide facility master plans for American Samoa and Guam, Complete Streets projects on O‘ahu and Maui, and in large-scale EIS assignments throughout the State. He is a virtual engagement expert and has orchestrated numerous large-scale, online community events for projects in Hawaii and in the U.S. Territories. Oliver serves as Director-at-Large of the APA Hawai‘i Chapter.
Cindy Gamiao | HR & Office Manager / Associate
As HR and Office Manager with 23-years of service at HHF, Cindy provides immeasurable support to firm leadership and staff. From keeping office supply shelves stocked to coordinating travel logistics for large teams to remote locations, and facilitating the changeover of technology and communications support contracts, she conquers it all and still makes time to assist staff with the smallest concerns.
Diane Yamamoto | Graphic Designer / Associate
With 35 years of graphic design experience, Diane’s skillful design and management of quality are evident in HHF’s high caliber project collateral pieces, report and presentation graphics, maps, marketing materials, and more.