Senator J. Kalani English
Chair, Committee on Energy, Environment, And International Affairs
State Capitol, Room 205
Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813
Phone: (808) 587-7225

PRESS RELEASE
February 4, 2005

Senator J. Kalani English Applauds Appointment of D. Mele Carroll to 13th District House Seat

Senator J. Kalani English (D-Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i, and Kaho'olawe) today announced his enthusiastic support for the Governor's appointment of D. Mele Carroll to the 13th District House seat vacated January 6 by former Representative Sol Kaho'ohalahala. "This is wonderful news for the people of Moloka'i, Lana'i, Ha'iku, and Hana, who can look forward to the best possible representation in the State House. Governor Lingle has made the right decision. It's my pleasure to congratulate Mele on her appointment; I look forward to working with her again."

"Mele and I worked together for six years, both when I was a Maui County Council member and here at the State Senate, where she was my Chief of Staff," Senator English added. "She knows the district, its people, and the issues that affect the lives of her constituents. She's a dedicated and capable public servant."

During the period when the 13th District was vacant, Sen. English drafted, and asked the House Speaker to introduce, a Capital Improvements Bill for the district. "It was important that the needs of the 13th District would be fully addressed while we waited for the seat to be filled," Sen. English said.

Representative D. Mele Carroll will take office immediately, having been chosen through an extensive review process for which the Governor had appointed a bi-partisan selection committee, consisting of State Senator Les Ihara (D-Kaimuki-Kapahulu), Governor's Chief of Staff Bob Awana, and Senior Policy Adviser Linda Smith. When a member of the State Legislature resigns, the Governor is required to appoint a successor from the same party. D. Mele Carroll's name was one of five submitted by a screening committee of Maui Democrats and State government officials from Maui, Moloka'i, and Lana'i.

###

END

Return to Sen. English Home Page - KalaniEnglish.com

Home Bills and Resolutions About Senator English Committees Community Profiles Newsletter Archive News Archive Capitol Web Site Media Photos

Connect with Senator English

OUR DISTRICT