For immediate release: Dec. 27, 2016
Press release by:
Mike White, Chair
Maui County Council
Senate President Kouchi to keynote council inauguration Jan. 2
WAILUKU, Hawaii – Senate President Ronald Kouchi will deliver the keynote address at the Maui County Council inauguration on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017 at 10 a.m. in the Council Chamber, Council Chair Mike White announced today.
Kouchi served 11 terms, or 22 years, on the Kauai County Council, where he was chair for 12 years, before becoming a state senator in 2010. His senate colleagues elected him senate president in May 2015.
“While Jan. 2 is recognized as a state holiday, we are mandated by the Maui County Charter to hold our ceremony on this day,” White said. “Senate President Kouchi is a strong advocate of the counties, and I thank him and other officials for attending the inauguration as we look forward to the new council term.”
Judge Richard T. Bissen will officiate at the swearing-in ceremony, inaugurating the members for the 2017-2019 council:
- Mike White
- Robert Carroll
- Stacy Crivello
- Alika Atay
- Elle Cochran
- Don S. Guzman
- Riki Hokama
- Kelly T. King
- Yuki Lei Sugimura
Deidre Tegarden, the state’s former chief protocol officer, will serve as mistress of ceremonies, renowned Hawaiian language teacher Kahu Ekela Kaniaupio-Crozier will perform an oli and pule, and Baldwin High School student Kassie Inouye will perform the National Anthem and Hawaii Pono`i, while the Hawaii Air National Guard presents the colors.
Musical group Na Wai `Eha will provide entertainment.
At 2 p.m. the council will hold its organizational meeting for the new term. At the meeting, the council will elect officers, establish standing committees, adopt rules and appoint staff.
White said the inauguration ceremony and the council meeting are open to the public, with limited seating. Both events will be shown live on Akaku Channel 53 and on MauiCounty.us.
For the latest news, follow @mauicounty on Twitter.
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More details: http://mauicounty.us/inauguration2017/
