Honolulu just got a new number-cruncher at the helm of its financial strategy and planning. Governor Josh Green stamped his seal of approval on Seth Colby, Ph.D., as the director of the Hawai‘i Department of Budget and Finance, a change slated to take effect on December 8, 2025. Colby is making the jump from his role as Chief State Economist at the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, where he's been the go-to guy for analysis and research to back up top-level decision-making for the state.
According to the Office of the Governor, Colby's resume boasts a solid eight years working at the Hawaiʻi state level. His tasks ranged from churning out detailed reports on Hawaiʻi’s economic situation to digging into the nitty-gritty of demographics, tourism, and energy. The guy's no stranger to the Department of Taxation either, where he took a magnifying glass to the state's revenue system and played a big part in macroeconomic forecasting. But it's not just the local scene Colby knows — his skills on economic and social development have reached across continents, from Latin America to Africa, thanks to his stints with heavyweights like the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank.
Colby's credentials are anchored by a Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Development Economics and International Development. Green believes Colby's "wealth of expertise in tax policy, economic research and fiscal management" will be instrumental for Hawai‘i's financial future, as noted by the Governor's Office. The Governor’s commentary on the appointment didn’t skip a beat in praising the outgoing interim finance director, too. "I also extend my gratitude to Sabrina Nasir, who provided steady leadership during the transition and will continue serving as Deputy Finance Director," said Governor Green. With the upcoming 2026 legislative session in sight and potential fiscal instability on the horizon, Colby and Nasir are expected to collaborate closely on the state's financial game plan.
For his part, Colby kept it brief and to the point, stating, "I appreciate the opportunity to serve in this role and will work to support Hawai‘i’s budget and policy needs." Meanwhile, the Department of Budget and Finance has signaled its intent to stay on the course of delivering strong financial and budgetary planning amid these uncertain times. And there's more work to be done with the state set to scout out a fresh state economist in the coming months, hopefully one that can fill the shoes of an outgoing expert with such a diverse background. For a look at the man of the hour, there's a photo of Seth Colby available courtesy of the Office of the Governor.
