Maui Applicants Sought to Fill Vacancy on State Elections Commission

Second Circuit Court Maui. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald is soliciting applications from residents of Maui County to fill a vacancy on the state Elections Commission.

The Hawaiʻi Elections Commission notified Recktenwald that the vacancy on the commission has not yet been filled and has requested that he make an appointment.

To qualify, an applicant must be a resident of Maui County, and cannot be taking an active part in political management or in political campaigns.

Interested applicants are asked to submit a resume and cover letter that includes the following information: a statement explaining why they are qualified to serve on the commission; education and employment history; a list of immediate relatives who serve in elected office; and disclosure of any pending litigation, tax, or criminal matter, any potential conflict of interest with regard to the duties of the commission, or anything else that could adversely affect their ability to serve.  The packet should also include three references.

Cover letters and resumes can be mailed to Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, Supreme Court of Hawaiʻi, 417 S. King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813; faxed to 808-539-4703; or emailed to [email protected].

The deadline for resumes to be post-marked, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered is no later than Friday, Aug. 29, 2014.

According to a judiciary announcement, the names of all applicants will be made public, and once appointed, the selected commission will serve a term that will be effective through June 30, 2016.

The elections commission is comprised of nine members including two members each that are appointed by the: Senate President, Senate Minority Leader, Speaker of the House, and House Minority Leader; and one member selected by a two-thirds vote of the Elections Commission serves as Chairperson.  Each group of four selected by each house should include one commission member each from Maui County, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, and Kauaʻi.

The commission currently includes the following individuals:

• William Marston (Chairperson)
• Victor V. Vierra of Hawaiʻi Island, appointed by the Senate President, term expires 6/30/18
• Carol Kitaoka of Hawaiʻi Island, appointed by the House Minority Leader, term expires 6/30/16
• Warren Orikasa, of Maui County, appointed by the House Speaker, term expires 6/30/18
• Patricia Berg, of Kauaʻi, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader, term expires 6/30/18
• Charles King, of Kauaʻi, appointed by the House Minority Leader, term expires 6/30/18
• Zale Okazaki, of Oʻahu, appointed by the Senate President, term expires 6/30/16
• Daniel Young, of Oʻahu, appointed by the House Speaker, term expires 6/30/16

The current vacancy is for a Maui commissioner whose term is set to expire on June 30, 2016.  The appointing authority falls under the Senate Minority Leader; however, the state Office of Elections website states that if the vacancy is not filled within 15 days, the selection becomes the responsibility of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.