Hawaii Gov. Selects Ito as Insurance Commissioner

Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle has selected Gordon Ito as insurance commissioner to oversee the state’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Insurance Division. As head of the Insurance Division, Ito will oversee the insurance industry in Hawaii, which writes $4.5 billion in premiums, and includes 1,000 insurance companies and 40,000 insurance agents.

Ito has been with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for more than 17 years. He has served as chief deputy insurance commissioner since 2000. Prior to that, he worked as the supervising staff attorney of the Insurance Division from 1993 to 2000.

“The Insurance Division is faced with many challenges due to the current economic climate, healthcare reform, and the financial services reform on the horizon,” Ito said. “Fortunately, we have an excellent and dedicated staff that has risen to the challenges over the years and will continue to do so for the people of Hawai’i.”

Former Commissioner J.P. Schmidt resigned in June for a private sector job with a law firm, knowing that a new governor, once taking office after the November election, would probably want to appoint his or her own commissioner. Lingle is term-limited as governor.