Maui House Members take on Key Roles

By Wendy Osher

Members of the Maui delegation at the state House were selected to serve on a number of key committees yesterday. House Speaker, Calvin Say announced the leadership team and committee chairmanships for the 26th Legislature Friday afternoon.

Rep. Mele Carroll of Maui. File photo.

Rep. Mele Carroll of East Maui is one of five state representatives who were selected to serve as Majority Whips. Rep. Carroll serves as the District 13 House member, representing Kahoolawe, Molokini, Lanai, Molokai, Keanae, Wailua, Nahiku and Hana. She joins fellow House members Pono Chong, Ken Ito, John Mizuno, and James Tokioka as majority whip members.

Rep. Carroll has served as the District 13 Representative since 2005.  Previously she served as Chair of the House Hawaiian Affairs Committee (2009-2010).

Rep. Angus McKelvey of West Maui takes on a new role as Chair of the Economic Revitalization and Business Committee. His Vice Chair is Isaac Choi.

Rep. Gilbert Keith-Agaran of Central Maui will Chair the Judiciary Committee at the state House. His Vice Chair is Karl Rhoads.

Rep. Kyle Yamashita of Upcountry, Maui will serve in two capacities: as Chair of the Legislative Management Committee, and Vice Chair of the Labor and Public Employment Committee. His Vice Chair for Legislative Management is James Kunane Tokioka. The Chair for the Labor and Public Employment Committee is Karl Rhoads.

Speaker Emeritus, Rep. Joe Souki, will continue to Chair the Transportation Committee at the State House. His Vice Chair will be Linda Ichiyama.  Rep. Souki has served in the Hawaii State Legislature since 1982. He represents the 8th District, that include Wailuku, Waihee, Waiehu, Puuohala and Waikapu.