Kawano has votes to
remain Maui Council
chairman; says he’ll
work to create jobs

By Gary T. Kubota
Star-Bulletin

WAILUKU -- Maui County Council Chairman Patrick Kawano appears to have the votes to remain in leadership after a newly elected Council is sworn into office Jan. 2.

Six Democrats, including four new Council members, yesterday indicated they would support him.

Kawano, a Molokai resident, has served about two years as Council chairman. He recently won election to his seventh two-year term.

Kawano told Council members he wanted to help to improve the county's permit system and increase employment. "We need to create jobs," Kawano said.

Kawano said he opposed raising property taxes and would consider it only as a last resort.

Kawano worries the county could be facing difficulty in getting financial help through the state Legislature because of recent shifts in power.

One of the shifts includes Maui Rep. Joseph Souki's loss of the state House speakership.

Republican Wayne Nishiki, who did not support Kawano as chairman, said he feared Kawano would simply follow the recommendations of Mayor-elect James "Kimo" Apana, who served as vice chairman under Kawano.

"This is the biggest concern: We're not going to rubber-stamp the administration," Nishiki said.

Kawano said there were eight other people, including Nishiki, who voted on Council issues. "If you feel you have a good idea, then let's hear about it," Kawano said.

The same Council members who supported Kawano also backed newcomer Dain Kane as the Council's vice chairman.

Committee chairpersons include Riki Hokama, economic development and environment; John Wayne Enriques, human services and parks; Michael Davis, public works and water; J. Kalani English, land use; Charmaine Tavares, planning; Wayne Nishiki, budget; Dain Kane, committee of the whole; Dennis Nakamura, governmental relations; and Patrick Kawano, committee of chairs.