Longtime 'Ewa community leader Tesha Malama is the new director of planning and development for the Hawai'i Community Development Authority's Kalaeloa District.

Gov. Linda Lingle, in making the appointment, said Malama will be leading the state's efforts to "realize the vision of Kalaeloa as a center for excellence, in support of our state's move toward an innovation economy."

For the past three years, Malama has provided management services to the homeowners association in the city's 'Ewa Villages affordable housing project.

A Leeward O'ahu native, Malama has chaired the 'Ewa Neighborhood Board.