State Senators on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Max Otani as director of the Department of Public Safety through Dec. 5, 2022.
Otani has more than three decades of experience working in the state’s corrections and judicial system; having served as a First Circuit Court probation officer from 1985 to 1987, manager of the Oʻahu Intake Services Center from 2003 to 2005, administrator for the Intake Service Center Division from 2011 to 2013 and as PSD’s Deputy Director for Corrections in 2013 and 2014. Following his stint as Deputy Director of Corrections, he returned to his previous position as administrator of the Intake Service Center Division and remained there until his retirement from PSD in 2016. He currently serves as a board member for the Hawaii Paroling Authority.
“Director Otani’s three decades of experience and deep knowledge of the state’s judicial and corrections systems will serve him well as PSD’s new director,” said Senator Clarence Nishihara (D-Oahu), who chairs the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs. “Under his leadership, I believe the department will overcome many of the current challenges that have arisen during this pandemic.”
Otani is a graduate of Hilo High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii at Hilo and his master’s degree in social work from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.