Derek Kanehira is senior vice president of human resources at Alexander & Baldwin. He joined the company in May 2020. Kanehira provides strategic HR leadership to the company and is responsible for overseeing the delivery of HR-related solutions, including executive compensation, employee benefits, learning and development, payroll, organizational health, workforce development, corporate culture, employee engagement, as well as overseeing facilities and administrative services.
Kanehira brings a wealth of HR experience to A&B, most recently serving as vice president & director of HR services at Hawaii Employers Council. Prior, he held senior HR executive roles with several Hawaii companies including Hawaii National Bank, First Insurance Company of Hawaii and Japan Airlines.
Education and community commitment
He serves in an advisory capacity for the State of Hawaii Workforce Development Council, State of Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Advisory Council, McKinley High School’s Academy of Finance, Hospitality & Tourism, and University of Hawaii – Masters in HR Management Program. He is also a director of the Hawaii Compensation Group, executive director of Diabetes Care for Life, board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, and committee member for Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s wish granting committee and Nareit’s Social Responsibility Council.