Arakawa Officially Enters 2014 Mayoral Race for Re-election

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa files papers for re-election.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa officially entered the 2014 mayor’s race by filing his nomination papers seeking re-election for another term on Friday morning.

According to the latest candidate filing report, there are a total of six people who have pulled papers for the seat, with four of them filing papers, making their run for mayor official.

The list includes Arakawa, Alana Kay of Kihei, Orion Kopelman of Kahului, and Tamara Paltin of Lahaina. Those who have pulled papers, but have not yet filed for candidacy include Carson Nemoto and Nelson Waikiki Jr., both of Wailuku.

In announcing his run for reelection, Arakawa said he hoped that he and his team had done enough over the last four years to earn the trust and confidence if the people of Maui County.

Arakawa said over the last four years, his administration focused on improving utilities, roads, water and sewers. He said other work has included the expansion of the Maui Bus system, park bathroom fixes, more county services being offered online, and the installation of more solar PV panels on county rooftops.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa files papers for re-election.

Mayor Arakawa said upcoming priorities include: “obtaining the land needed to build a new county Service Center, totally rehabilitating broken roads such as Hansen and Kokomo with federal funding, and preserving more coastal areas for future generations.”

“There’s also affordable housing on Lāna`i, affordable rentals in Upcountry, and a new police station on Moloka`i to build. We have a lot more to do and, hopefully, get the time to do them,” he said.

Early endorsements include  support from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142 and member unions of the Hawaiʻi Construction Alliance.