A major shake-up in state House leadership and committee chairman posts has been announced by Speaker Calvin Say, who thwarted an attempt by some dissident lawmakers to oust him last week.

The new majority leader will be Rep. Kirk Caldwell, D-24th (Manoa).

Heading the powerful Finance Committee will be Rep. Marcus Oshiro, D-39th (Wahiawa), who was formerly majority leader.

Oshiro will replace Rep. Dwight Takamine, D-1st (North Hilo, Hamakua, North Kohala), who was not named to any leadership post.

The Judiciary Committee will be headed by Rep. Tommy Waters, D-51st (Waimanalo, Lanikai).

Waters will replace Rep. Sylvia Luke, D-26th (Punchbowl, Pacific Heights, Nu'uanu Valley), who also was not named to a leadership position.

"This new leadership group will be responsive to the needs of their communities and the state as a whole and are ready to work hard to meet the challenges ahead," Say said in a news release.

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye and Democratic Party leader Mike McCartney met recently with leading House Democrats at the party's offices and urged them not to undercut their election victories with a bitter leadership fight.

But Say's purge after retaining the speakership has upset some Democrats.

Several on the losing end of the leadership struggle said privately they would likely be more vocal during next year's legislative session if they disagree with Say's allies, instead of keeping disputes quietly within the Democratic caucus.

The sense, among some, is that they have failed to bring about change internally, so they will take their causes to the House floor or to the public.

Other key posts announced were: