Democrats name acting party chair

Advertiser Staff

Mark Forman has been named acting interim chairman of the Hawai'i Democratic Party, following the resignation of chairwoman Lorraine Akiba.

Akiba said last month she planned to leave that post to concentrate full time on her law practice.

Forman is executive administrator for the Hawai'i Medical Services Association Foundation, and previously served as executive director of the State Office of Community Services.

Akiba, 46, said Forman "will do an outstanding job." She also welcomed the appointment of Jill Tokuda as interim executive director for the party.

Both appointments were approved at a meeting of the party's state central committee Saturday.

The election for a Hawai'i Democratic party chairman will be held April 12.

Akiba was elected to head the party in April 2001, succeeding Walter Heen.

Correction: The election for a Hawai'i Democratic party chairman will be held April 12. A previous version of this story incorrectly said no date had been set.