Back in 2014, Alex Haller–a landscaper with a business finance degree from Cal State San Luis Obispo watched the council deliberate over Launiupoko development. After concluding that the councilmembers didn’t seem to understand proper land appraisal formulas, he decided to run for office–in that case, for the Maui County Council seat then (and still) held […]
Mele Carroll
2015 MauiTime Year In Review
Well, another year’s in the books. On the whole, 2015 wasn’t any more disastrous or violent than any other recent year, I suppose (we did get a new Star Wars film out of it), though at times it certainly seemed otherwise. Murder rates have risen in many large American cities, and a series of horrific […]
Maui services for Rep. Mele Carroll to take place Sunday, March 15
There will be two services for the late Representative Mele Carroll, D–East Maui, Molokai, Lanai, the state House of Representatives announced on Feb. 25. The first will take place on Oahu on Friday, Mar. 6 (Borthwick Mortuary, 1330 Maunakea St. (between North Vineyard Boulevard and North Kukui Street). The second will take place here on Maui […]
Hawaii Gov. David Ige appoints Lynn DeCoite to state Legislature, replacing the late Mele Carroll
Today, Hawaii Governor David Ige named a successor to the late Maui Representative Mele Carroll, who passed away yesterday after recently resigning from office: Molokai farmer Lynn DeCoite. “I thank the House District 13 Nominating Committee for forwarding three outstanding individuals for consideration and for working so quickly to get the names to me,” Ige […]
UPDATED: Maui Representative Mele Carroll Passes Away
[Ed. note: We updated this post on Feb. 19 to include more tributes to Carroll from various public officials] State Representative Diana “Mele” Carroll has passed away. The Democrat who’s represented East Maui, Lanai, Kaho’olawe and Molokai had recently been elected to her sixth term. Citing unspecified health issues, Carroll resigned her seat in January. […]
Quizunderstood: How well do you know who wants to replace Maui Rep. Mele Carroll?
1. According to a Feb. 8 Maui News story, 13 people are in the running to replace House Rep. Mele Carroll, who recently resigned because of her health. Which of the following is NOT one of those 13? A. Riki Hokama, Maui County Councilman B. Barbara Haliniak, who ran against Carroll in 2014 C. Rob […]
Maui Rep. Mele Carroll Resigning From State House Because Of Health
State Representative Mele Carroll, a Democrat whose district includes Haiku, Paia, Hana, Kahoolawe, Molokai and Lanai, is resigning from the state House of Representatives because of her health. A Jan. 20 news release from the state House of Representatives communications office offered a few details: “After consulting with doctors, contemplating her situation, and confirming with her husband […]
Citing ‘Health Issues,’ Maui Rep. Mele Carroll Steps Down as Human Services Committee Chairwoman
Maui Representative Mele Carroll, D–13th District, is stepping down as chairwoman of the House Human Services Committee, according to a news release just sent out from the state House of Representatives communications office. Her reason: undefined “health issues.” “I recently asked Speaker [Joe] Souki to re-assign the chairmanship this session due to some health issues I […]
2014 Hawaii Primary Election Endorsements
For us political junkies, the late summer of an even-numbered year is a magical time. Our airwaves, email and inboxes get jammed with misleading, often shameless propaganda. Battalions of volunteers line roadsides to wave colorful but still bland signs at passing motorists. And, for the true believers, forums pop up at community centers around the […]
Maui County Council primary elections are normally bland, but this year’s four-way race over Mike White’s Makawao-Haiku-Paia district is different
He says it used to happen a lot more, but the last time was at about four or five years ago. Mike Molina was still a Maui County Councilmember then, and he’d just walked into the Burger King on Dairy Road in Kahului. Immediately, he says, the woman behind the counter began giggling. He says […]
Hawaii Democratic Party’s GLBT Caucus Hands Out Primary Endorsements
With the Hawaii Primary Election just a couple weeks away, we’re neck-deep in political endorsements. Here’s a batch from the Hawaii Democratic Party’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Caucus. “The GLBT Caucus used a combination of surveys, candidate forums, and voting records to compile the list of supportive candidates,” state’s the caucus’ July 18 […]
A Brief Report On The July 17 Mele Carroll-Barbara Smackdown In Haiku
Years ago, while covering one of then-Maui County Councilmember Jo Anne Johnson’s reelection campaigns, I made the mistake of asking her challenger what she disliked about Johnson’s record. “I love Jo Anne Johnson,” she said and refused to say anything bad about her opponent. Needless to say, Johnson won that race. At the Haiku Community […]
Quizunderstood: How well do you know gift disclosures?
1. On Monday, June 30, which Hawaii legislator Tweeted “Outrageous #HobbyLobby ruling lets bosses restrict #freedom of women’s health decisions” in response to that day’s Supreme Court ruling on Burwell v. Hobby Lobby? A. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard B. Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa C. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz D. U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono E. Hawaii State Rep. […]
UPDATED: Hawaii Cops Work Really Hard For Your Money
So the County of Maui paid out $484,000 in overtime for Maui police officers last year, The Maui News reported on Mar. 20 (curiously, the story is not posted on their website). That’s nearly half a million bucks in Golden Time. For any manager in the private sector, justifying such expenses would pretty much be […]
An Open Letter To Maui’s State Legislators Asking Them To Stop Exempting Bad Cops From The State Public Records Law
Dear Senators Roz Baker, J. Kalani English and Gil Keith-Agaran and Representatives Mele Carroll, Kaniela Ing, Angus McKelvey, Joe Souki, Justin Woodson and Kyle Yamashita: Wow, Opening Day comes around fast. Seems like it was only yesterday that you adjourned for the summer. But here we are: on Jan. 15–just a few days from now–you […]
State Senate Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill; Hawaii GOP Goes Nuts, Calls For Democracy
As has been well-reported, this afternoon the Hawaii state Senate passed the House version of SB1 19-4 with two excused. The bill, which legalizes same-sex marriage in the state, proceeds to Governor Neil Abercrombie, where it’s widely expected that he’ll sign it, perhaps within the next day. Within minutes of the recording of the Senate […]