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Lingle solicits resumes
for vacancy in House

The state House seat vacated Thursday by Sol Kahoohalahala because he became executive director of the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission will be filled via a bipartisan process that Gov. Linda Lingle promised will be "inclusive and transparent," she said in a statement released yesterday.

"This is the first time I have had to fill a vacancy in the Legislature, and I want to be sure the public understands the selection process and has a chance to participate and share their opinions on who they would like to fill the seat," Lingle said.

Lingle asks that interested applicants for the appointed position send her by Jan. 19 a two-page resume and a letter explaining "why they want to represent the people of the 13th House District and why they are the best person for the position."

Resumes will be reviewed by a bipartisan screening panel, which will submit six finalists to Lingle by Jan. 24, the release said. A three-member panel will interview those six applicants and narrow the list to three, among whom Lingle will chose the new representative by Feb. 7.

To be eligible for appointment, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Hawaii for at least three years, at least 18 years old, a qualified voter of the 13th House District and a member of the Hawaii Democratic Party.

For more information, contact the Governor's Office at 586-0034.