New Faces of Maui Government

Councilmember-elect, Don Guzman. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Councilmember-elect Don Guzman is among three new faces that will represent Maui after winning respective races in last night’s general election.

Guzman defeated Alan Fukuyama to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Kahului Council Member Joe Pontanilla, who reaches his term limit this year.

Guzman managed to garner 23,459 votes in his bid against Fukuyama, who walked away with 14,921 votes.

Also because of term limits, the island of Molokai will have new representation on the County Council.

District 11 State House member-elect, Kaniela Ing. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Stacy Helm Crivello defeated Manuwai Peters in last night’s general election, to secure the vacancy created by the departure of longtime Councilmember Danny Mateo. Crivello had 41.5% of the vote compared to 22.8% obtained by Peters.

In the State House, Representative-elect, Kaniela Ing becomes the youngest legislator to win election from Maui this year.

The 23-year-old Kihei resident managed to oust incumbent Rep. George Fontaine, 52, in last night’s general election.

Stacy Helm Crivello, via SKYPE interview, file photo by Wendy Osher.

The vote count was 4,813 (60.9%) for Ing; and 2,772 (35.1%) for Fontaine.

Throughout his campaign, Ing said he had hoped to bring a fresh vision for Maui’s future to the state Legislature.

All three candidates joined an election night results program broadcast out of the Media Center at the University of Hawai’i Maui College.  Interviews were conducted by media professionals from Pacific Radio Group in an ongoing partnership with students, faculty and staff at the college.

Full results from this year’s election are available at the following direct LINK.

Joe Blackburn II was defeated by incumbent councilman Mike Victorino of Wailuku. Photo by Wendy Osher.

UHMC students and staff led the production of Decision 2012, a Maui Election Results program featuring live election returns in coordination with media professionals from Pacific Radio Group. Photo by Wendy Osher.

UHMC students and staff led the production of Decision 2012, a Maui Election Results program featuring live election returns in coordination with media professionals from Pacific Radio Group. Photo by Wendy Osher.

2012 General Election broadcast at UHMC. Pictured here are: (from left to right) KPOA Program Director Alaka’i Paleka, Sen. J. Kalani English, Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa, and UHMC Chancellor Dr. Clyde Sakamoto (standing). Photo by Wendy Osher.

UHMC students enrolled in the Institute for Hawaiian Music performed during the Decision 2012 live election return program featuring races of importance to Maui County. Photo by Wendy Osher.