Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares received the endorsement of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO) on Friday, July 23, 2010. SHOPO has 2,800 members statewide with nearly 400 in Maui County.

In making the announcement, SHOPO President Tenari Ma’afala called Mayor Tavares’ ability to build positive working relationships as a key to the union’s decision. 

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Photo courtesy Tavares campaign.

“We have seen Mayor Tavares take difficult and complex situations and find agreeable solutions between people… What makes her stand out is how genuine she is,” said Ma’afala.

Tavares faces 10 other candidates in her bid for re-election.  The field includes former mayor Alan Arakawa, council member Sol Kahoohalahala, former planning director Chris Hart, and former Land use commissioner Randy Piltz.  Others on the list are Sally Hammond, marc Hodges, Ori Kopelman, Peter Milbourn,Harold Miller and Jonathon Olson.