House Leadership to be Determined on Opening Day

State Rep. Joe Souki. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Present House Speaker Calvin Say announced Thursday that he will no longer be a candidate for speaker for the 2013-14 legislative sessions.

He will carry out his term as speaker of the House until a new one is elected on opening day of the state Legislature.

Say indicated that his support would be in favor of House Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro.

Last month speculation surfaced that Speaker Emeritus Joe Souki of Wailuku, Maui, had formed a coalition to take control of the House leadership.

If the House organization plays out in favor of Souki, Maui leaders would be at the helm of both chambers of the state Legislature.

Maui State Senator Shan S. Tsutsui was once again selected as the president of the Senate.

The Senate leadership was quickly determined just two days after the Nov. 6, 2012, general election.