Mayor Mike Victorino Sworn Into Office

Maui County Mayor Mike Victorino took the oath of office on Wednesday morning from 2nd Circuit Chief Judge Joseph Cardoza, with First Lady Joycelyn Victorino, other family members, Maui County Council members and dignitaries looking on.

Swearing-in of Mayor Victorino this morning in the Mayor’s Conference Room. (1.2.2019) (Photo: Ryan Piros)

“To all of the people of Maui County, I am your mayor,” Victorino said, following his swearing in at 8:17 a.m. in the Mayor’s Office conference room in the Kalana O Maui building. “I’m here to serve all of you. I’m not here to serve just one group or another. We’ve got to work collaboratively. I reach out to the council because I need them to help me do the job for the people of Maui County.

Council members on Wednesday afternoon unanimously elected Kelly King as Chair and Keani Rawlins-Fernandez as vice chair of the county council.

“I’ve said it many times, and I’ll say it again: It’s not about me; it’s about we, the people,” he said. “We’re here to serve the people. My administration, if nothing else, will be known for being a customer-service-oriented government.”

Mayor Victorino said, “I truly believe it is going to take a village to make Maui County a better place. It is a great place to live in, but it’s a new era, and we’re going to move forward working for the people.”

Mayor Victorino and family — The Inauguration and Oath of Office Ceremony of Mayor-elect Michael P. Victorino and Appointed Directors & Deputies. (1.2.2019) (Photo: Ryan Piros)

He extended his heartfelt thanks to friends and family, and especially First Lady Joycelyn Victorino, his wife of 43 years.

“She stuck with me through thick and thin,” he said. “You name it. This lady stayed by every moment and never abandoned me… I owe a lot not only to all of you in this room, but to this particular lady, who is the pillar of our family, Joycelyn Victorino.”

Swearing-in the Deputy Director –The Inauguration and Oath of Office Ceremony of Mayor-elect Michael P. Victorino and Appointed Directors & Deputies. (1.2.2019) (Photo: Ryan Piros)

Lt. Gov. Josh Green congratulated Mayor Victorino, saying Maui County is fortunate to have a family man take over the reigns of county government.

“We’re excited to have you,” Green said. “We know that everything you do will help people.”

“The one thing that should never be lost on any of us who serve in government is every day is an opportunity to help people in need,” he said, adding that Mayor Victorino sees the people of Maui County as part of his ʻohana. “When we’re in local government, we’re so close to the people, and so that makes it even more challenging because we feel it in our hearts when people are struggling. And, so it’s exciting to see this kind of person become our mayor.”

Victorino said God, family and the people of Maui County are the most important parts of his life. “They’re my ʻohana,” he said.

Video: County of Maui / Chris Sugidono (1.2.2019) 

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