News Releases from Department of Health

HONOLULU – The Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) is pleased to announce the selection of Kirby Shaw as its executive director. Shaw begins his appointment on Nov. 1, 2019 and succeeds Francine Wai, who is retiring after serving 41 years with DCAB and its predecessor agencies. The executive director implements programs and policy decisions, provides support to the board, oversees a staff of 21, and speaks on behalf of the Board at public hearings.

Shaw brings a personal as well as professional background to the position. Weeks before he started college in 1977, a beach accident resulted in quadriplegia and a major life change. Since then, Shaw has used a motorized wheelchair.

“Kirby Shaw is a huge asset to DCAB. He has a genuine interest in listening to and understanding the needs of various people so that he can effect change in a way that positively impacts the lives of people with disabilities. We look forward to working with him,” said Pauline Aughe, DCAB Board Chairperson.

“I am taking on this role because of my strong commitment to the philosophy of the agency, which in a nutshell is the full integration of people with disabilities into the mainstream of society,” Shaw said. “My priorities and goals are to fulfill DCAB’s statutory requirements, adhere
to the Plan of Action established by the Board and be ready for new challenges that will arise.”

Born in Hawai‘i, Shaw is a graduate of Kalaheo High School and has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and a juris doctor degree from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law.

Shaw has been employed by DCAB for more than 20 years, in two separate phases. Between his two employments with DCAB, he returned to school to obtain his law degree and establish a small private law practice. Upon returning to DCAB in 2015, he became the coordinator of Program and Policy Development.

PDF: Disability and Communication Access Board appoints Kirby Shaw as executive director

# # #