The Maui News
Longtime Maui state Rep. Kyle Yamashita will chair the important House Finance Committee for the 2023 state legislative session, which begins next month.
Yamashita, who represents House District 12, which includes a portion of Keahua, along with Haliimaile, Pukalani, Makawao, Pulehu, Waiakoa, Keokea and Ulupalakua, was formerly the vice chairperson of the committee under former Rep. Sylvia Luke, who was elected lieutenant governor in November.
Maui Rep. Justin Woodson, who represents House District 9 covering Kahului, Puunene and a portion of Wailuku, will continue to chair the Education Committee, and Rep. Troy Hashimoto, who represents House District 10 that spans a portion of Waiehu along with Paukukalo, Wailuku and Waikapu, will chair the Housing Committee, according to an announcement Tuesday from House Speaker Scott Saiki.
Maui County’s three freshman representatives will also hold committee leadership roles — Rep. Elle Cochran, who represents House District 14, including Kahakuloa, Waihee, Maalaea and West Maui, will be the vice chairperson for the Energy & Environmental Protection Committee, while Rep. Terez Amato, who represents House District 11 that covers a portion of Maalaea and South Maui, will be the vice chairperson of the Human Services Committee, and Rep. Mahina Poepoe, who represents House District 13, which includes Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, a portion of Kahului and East Maui, will serve as vice chairperson for the Water & Land Committee.
Maui County state senators have also secured chair and leadership positions in the Hawaii State Senate, according to an announcement on Monday.
Sen. Gil Keith-Agaran, who represents Senate District 5, which includes Wailuku, Kahului, Waihee, Waikapu Mauka and Waiehu, will continue in his position as vice chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. He is also an assistant majority whip and a member of the Higher Education as well as Labor and Technology committees.
Sen. Lynn DeCoite, who represents Senate District 7, which includes Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and Molokini, will be assistant majority floor leader and also chairwoman of the Energy, Economic Development and Tourism Committee. She is also a member of the Ways and Means as well as Agriculture and Environment committees.
Sen. Angus McKelvey, who represents Senate District 6, which includes West Maui, Maalaea, Waikapu and South Maui, will chair the Government Operations Committee. He is also a member of three other committees — Commerce and Consumer Protection; Water and Land; and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs.
