Souki Maintains Role as House Speaker, Maui Reps Chair Committees

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

By Wendy Osher

House Speaker Joe Souki announced the appointments of the House of Representatives Majority leadership lineup for the 28th Legislature which convenes on Jan. 21, 2014.

Rep. Souki maintains his role as House Speaker, while all Maui Representatives have roles as either chair or vice chair of various committees.

Maui’s Mele Carroll will serve as chair of the Human Services; Kaniela Ing is Chair of the committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, and Hawaiian Affairs; Angus McKelvey is Chair of the Consumer Protection & Commerce Committee, with Justin Woodson serving as his Vice Chair; and Kyle Yamashita will take on a role as vice chair of the Public Safety Committee.

Speaker Souki released a statement saying, “The team that we have formed represents the kind of talents and abilities that will best serve our residents and will address the issues facing our state.  We look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions with Governor-elect David Ige and his administration to continue to identify ideas and solutions to help Hawaiʻi move forward.”

Last week, the Hawai‘i State Senate announced its new leadership team, which includes Maui’s J. Kalani English, who will serve as Majority Leader during the upcoming 28th Legislature.

Fellow Maui Senator Gil Keith Agaran will lead the Judiciary and Labor Committee, while Senator Roz Baker will head up the Senate’s Consumer Protection Committee.