Senate President Kouchi to Keynote Council Inauguration Jan. 2

Council Inauguration. PC: Office of Council Services.

Senate President Ronald Kouchi will deliver the keynote address at the Maui County Council inauguration on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017 at 10 a.m. in the Council Chamber.

Council Chair Mike White made the announcement today as the council prepares for the coming 2017-2019 term.

Kouchi served 11 terms, or 22 years, on the Kauaʻi County Council, where he was chair for 12 years, before becoming a state senator in 2010. His senate colleagues elected him senate president in May 2015.

“While Jan. 2 is recognized as a state holiday, we are mandated by the Maui County Charter to hold our ceremony on this day,” White said. “Senate President Kouchi is a strong advocate of the counties, and I thank him and other officials for attending the inauguration as we look forward to the new council term.”

Judge Richard T. Bissen will officiate at the swearing-in ceremony, inaugurating members: Mike White; Robert Carroll; Stacy Crivello; Alika Atay; Elle Cochran; Don S. Guzman; Riki Hokama; Kelly T. King; and Yuki Lei Sugimura.

Deidre Tegarden, the state’s former chief protocol officer, will serve as mistress of ceremonies, Hawaiian language teacher Kahu Ekela Kaniaupio-Crozier will perform an oli and pule, and Baldwin High School student Kassie Inouye will perform the National Anthem and Hawaii Ponoʻi, while the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard presents the colors.

Musical group Nā Wai ʻEha will provide entertainment.

At 2 p.m. the council will hold its organizational meeting for the new term. At the meeting, the council will elect officers, establish standing committees, adopt rules and appoint staff.

The inauguration ceremony and the council meeting are open to the public, with limited seating. Both events will be shown live on Akakū Channel 53 and on MauiCounty.us.