Posted at 11:30 a.m., Friday, February 4, 2005
Governor fills vacant House seat
Advertiser Staff
Gov. Linda Lingle today appointed D. Mele Carroll to fill the vacant House District 13 seat, which covers East Maui, Lana`i and Moloka`i. Carroll will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Sol Kaho`ohalahala, a news release said.By law, Lingle had 60 days from the date of Kaho`ohalahala's official resignation to make her appointment. The governor made her selection in 29 days.
"After conducting an open search for eligible candidates who were willing to serve the people of District 13 and our state, I am today appointing Mele Carroll to the House of Representatives," said Lingle in the release.
Carroll currently serves as executive assistant and chief legislative liaison to Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa, where she concentrates on East Maui, Lana`i and Moloka`i issues. She also serves at the substance abuse and drug abuse liaison for Maui County and focuses on health-related issues. As Mayor Arakawa's chief legislative liaison, Carroll serves as the mayor's representative at the State Legislature, Maui County Council and with the Lingle-Aiona Administration.
Before joining the Mayor's office, Carroll was chief of staff for Sen. Kalani English (District 6, East Maui, Lana`i and Moloka`i), and also served as his chief of staff when he was on the Maui County Council.
Kaho`ohalahala submitted his resignation on Jan. 6, the release said. Applicants submitted their resumes, which were reviewed by a bipartisan screening panel.
The plane included former Maui Mayor James "Kimo" Apana, chair, Maui County Democratic Party; Sen. Rosalyn Baker (District 5 ö W. Maui, S. Maui); Nelson Befitel, director, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and a native of Moloka`i; Shay Chan Hodges, chair, District 13, Democratic Party; Georgina Kawamura, state budget and finance director and native of Lana`i; and George Kaya, the Governor's Maui liaison.
Five candidates were found to meet the core eligibility requirements, including being a U.S. citizen, a resident of Hawai`i for not less than three years, at least 18 years of age, a qualified voter of the 13th House District, and a member of the Hawai`i Democratic Party.
The five individuals were interviewed by a three-member panel made up of Bob Awana, the governor's chief of staff; Sen. Les Ihara (District 9 - St. Louis Heights, Palolo Valley, Kaimuki, Kapahulu); and Linda Smith, the governor's senior policy advisor.
Based on these interviews, the field was narrowed down to three, the news release said.
Lingle met with each of the three finalists before making her final selection.
