The Team

Chris Sugidono

A graduate of Seabury Hall, Chris attended the University of Oregon where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. He worked for the college’s newspaper, magazine and athletic department, which included live coverage of baseball, softball and football games. He also interned with NBC (previously Comcast) Sports Northwest and covered the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

After graduating from UO, Chris worked as a Reporter/Photojournalist for six years at The Maui News. During his tenure at the newspaper he received awards for Excellence in Journalism from the Hawaii Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Hawaii Publishers Association. He has covered a wide range of stories on local news topics and investigative reports. For his stories, he also has done interviews with BBC World News, Nancy Grace and NHK World-Japan.

Chris most recently served as Assistant Communications Director for the County of Maui and Office of the Mayor. He helped produce press releases and assist over a dozen County departments with media requests and public outreach. He also served as the County’s Public Information Officer (PIO) during emergency operations and received Advanced PIO training at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck Maui County, Chris led coordination with the Governor’s Office, State Department of Health and various other government and nongovernment agencies.

Outside of the office, Chris loves playing basketball and spending time with friends and family.

Chris is a member of the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows Class of 2020 and volunteers with Maui Matsuri.

Something you didn’t know:
Chris shares the same birthday as his mother and his wife, Sara, shares the same birthday as her father