Maui Clerk Deems Mamuad Mayoral Nomination Void

Neldon Mamuad. Maui Now photo.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui mayoral candidate Neldon Mamuad’s nomination papers are invalid according to a determination issued today by Maui County Clerk Danny Mateo.

“By not filing his financial disclosure statement concurrently with his nomination papers by the June 3 deadline, Neldon Mamuad failed to comply with the requirements,” Mateo said in a department press release.

Under the Maui County Charter, Section 10-3, a candidate is mandated to file a financial disclosure statement concurrently with their nomination papers.

“His oath as to compliance will be deemed invalid and his nomination papers incomplete and void,” said Mateo.

Under nomination procedures, Mateo said the Office of the County Clerk will be filing a complaint with the circuit court for a determination as to Mamuad’s qualification to be on the ballot.

In a statement issued by Mamuad’s campaign he stated, “I’m disappointed in the miscommunication between my campaign and the Clerk’s office but I’m looking forward to presenting my case to the circuit court and resolving this matter as soon as possible so my bid for mayor of the County of Maui can continue.”

Mamuad claims the miscommunication occurred between him and the staff in the County Clerk’s office over the use of his pre-existing financial disclosure forms already on file as a liquor commissioner.

In a separate challenge against another mayoral candidate, Nelson Waikiki Jr., Mateo issued a determination that his paperwork is in compliance with state election laws.

The challenge was based on concerns raised about the residency requirement to run for mayor, and challenged the validity of the addresses listed on on the nomination papers as non-existent.

Mateo said Waikiki updated both his residential and mailing addresses prior to the filing of his nomination papers, which “cured the problems and brought his nomination papers into compliance with Sections 12-3(a)(6) and 12-3(a)(11) of the Hawaii Revised Statutes.”

In the race for Maui mayor, there were a total of seven candidates included in an uncertified report released by the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections. The list included incumbent Mayor Alan Arakawa, who served as mayor from 2002 to 2006, and was elected again in 2010.

He faces a list of candidates that includes: Alana Kay, who ran for the South Maui council seat in 2010; Tamara Paltin, a county employee who has been a vocal advocate for the preservation of Honolua Bay; Orion Kopelman, who was among the candidates who ran for mayor in the 2010 primary; Beau Hawkes of Makawao; and Nelson Waikiki Jr. of Wailuku.

Both Mamuad and Waikiki were among three potential contenders that filed their papers on the final June 3 deadline.

The County Clerk is a position selected by the County Council and not the county administration under Mayor Arakawa, who is seeking re-election.