Rep. Lynn DeCoite holding her papers at the Maui County Clerks Office

Representative Lynn DeCoite filed papers to seek election to the District 13 State House seat, the office she was appointed to by Governor Ige on February 19, 2015 to fill the remainder of the two-year term of the late Mele Carroll.

“Being appointed to represent District 13 was a tremendous honor. It has been a whirl-wind adventure; I don’t think I’ve ever been so inspired, amazed, overwhelmed, tired, and energized all at the same time- and I wouldn’t change one second of it! It is with that notion that I am now running in the 2016 election to continue to represent District 13, so I can further serve the residents of East Maui, Moloka’i, Lāna’i along with the entire state of Hawai’i.” said Rep. Lynn DeCoite to a group of supporters before filing her papers at Maui County Clerk’s office.

Rep. Lynn DeCoite filing her papers with her husband Russell DeCoite and friends in the Maui County Clerks Office

Rep. DeCoite also lined out her priorities for continuing in office:

• Outreach and Inclusion of all islands and residents when it comes to services, resources, programs and jobs.: District 13 is the only “canoe district” in the State House of Representatives. The areas (and Islands) in the district are considered “rural” and do not always get the attention that urban areas of the state receive.
• Agriculture: Food Safety, Sustainability and promoting local products
• Education: Facility improvement and support services for students and teachers.
• Health: Health Care and Access to health services for all residents
• Housing: Affordable/ Quality Housing and addressing the “Hidden Homeless”.
• DHHL: Adequate funding for operations and administration.

Rep, DeCoite said she is committed to keeping her ears open, having an open mind and said she is willing to “listen and work with everyone to make the State of Hawai’i a better place for all of its people.”