SENATE MAJORITY LEADER J. KALANI ENGLISH ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM HAWAIʻI STATE SENATE
News Release from Office of Sen J Kalani English, April 27, 2021
Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English (District 7 – Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi) issued the following statement today announcing his retirement from the Hawaiʻi State Senate:
“After many discussions with my doctors, talks with those close to me and careful thought, I am announcing my retirement from the Hawai‘i State Senate, effective May 1, 2021.
In late November 2020, I contracted COVID-19 while with family out of Hawai‘i. (Clue: Tahiti) My symptoms were mild and I did not physically suffer at the time of infection from the virus, unlike many of our friends and family. I was grateful to have healed. Upon my return to Hawai‘i, I noticed a change in my energy, pervasive lethargy, memory challenges and a fogginess in my thought process. I was not sure what to make of the challenges and thought I was suffering from depression or issues related to depression.
Having been deemed a long hauler, I was diagnosed with long-term effects of COVID-19. My new normal will require me to address some of the challenges left to my short and long-term memory and other cognitive issues derived from the virus. These challenges have placed a number of things into perspective for me, including the need to take better care of my health.
I have been blessed to give back to the communities that have reared and nurtured me – it will be a daunting task to walk away from 25 years of service to my island home. I want to thank my colleagues in the Hawai‘i State Senate and the Hawai‘i House of Representatives – in particular to the Maui delegation for bettering our home. I also want to thank the countless number of friends and family on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi who have supported me as a member of the Maui County Council and the Hawaiʻi State Senate.
I would not have been able to do any of this without my staff over the years and it is my hope that in leaving, together we have made Maui Nui and Hawai‘i better.”
Senator J. Kalani English is a lifelong Hāna resident. He was first elected to the Hawaiʻi State Senate in 2000. Senator English previously served as a member of the Maui County Council from 1997 – 2000 and is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools, Hawaiʻi Loa College and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Over the course of his legislative career, Senator English worked tirelessly to secure over $2 billion in funding for the rural communities of Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe.
He also successfully championed a number of bills (that were signed into law) relating to Hawaiian culture, the environment, transportation and energy.
One of Senator English’s lasting legacies is the Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission (Hawaiʻi Climate Commission). He introduced the measure that created the climate commission while simultaneously aligning Hawaiʻi’s climate policies with the principles and goals set forth in the Paris Climate Agreement. This landmark measure was signed into law by Governor David Ige on June 8, 2017 and made Hawaiʻi the first state in the nation to enact legislation implementing portions of the Paris Agreement.
In accordance with State law, Democratic Party officers from the fifteen precincts in Senate District 7 will convene to identify three names that will be transmitted to Governor Ige for consideration. The Governor has sixty days to fill the vacancy.
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Rep. Lynn Decoite announces intent to vie for Senate District 7 Vacancy
KHON: ... Rep. Lynn DeCoite announced her intent to vie for the Senate District 7 seat being vacated by Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English on Wednesday, April 28.
DeCoite currently represents House District 13 which includes Haʻikū, Hāna, Kaupō, Kīpahulu, Nāhiku, Pāʻia, Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Molokini….
Democratic Party officers from 15 precincts in Senate District 7 will send three names to Gov. David Ige for consideration. The governor has 60 days to fill the vacancy ….
MN: DeCoite seeks Senate seat with English retiring
read … Rep. Lynn Decoite announces intent to vie for Senate District 7 Vacancy
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Race is on to fill Maui’s District 7 Senate seat vacated by J. Kalani English
SA: … Maui County Councilwoman Yuki Lei Sugimura has also expressed interest in the seat ….The District 7 senate seat includes East and Upcountry Maui, Lanai and Molokai. Precinct officers from House Districts 12 and 13 will vote in the coming weeks on three potential candidates to fill the Senate seat. Those names will then be forwarded to Gov. David Ige, who is required to make a selection by the end of June, 60 days after English’s May 1 retirement date. Sixty to 75 party officers are expected to participate in the voting process, the methodology of which has yet to be determined, said Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, chairman of the Hawaii Democratic Party….In announcing his retirement, English threw his support behind DeCoite, saying that the district deserved a “seasoned person” who “understands the budget, understands the district.” DeCoite was appointed to her current House seat by Gov. David Ige in 2015 following the death of former Rep. Mele Carroll. She’s defended the seat in the past three elections….
read … Race is on to fill Maui’s District 7 Senate seat vacated by J. Kalani English
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Ritte Grifts for Vacant Senate Seat
CB: … On Thursday, supporters of longtime Native Hawaiian activist Walter Ritte said they would be submitting his name for consideration.
“Walter is one of the great kupuna (grifters) of the Hawaiian nation, and when a person of his capacity and experience decides to be part of something, it is very important that we listen,” said Sean Lester. (This is your brain on identity politics.) He’s the vice chair of Precinct 13-2 on Maui, in the Haiku area, and treasurer for District 13, which includes Hana, Molokai and Haiku.
Ritte acknowledged that he is interested in the gig.
“There are so many problems we have, which the pandemic has shined a light on,” he said. “We cannot act like the problems are going to disappear because we are getting vaccines.”
Among the legislative priorities for Ritte is food independence and giving Hawaiians a “much more serious voice” at the Legislature….
(If that’s true, why is he running?)
Also on Thursday, former Maui Democratic Party chair, environmentalist and entrepreneur Timothy Lara said he also intends to seek English’s seat….
HPR: The Conversation: State Sen. Kalani English Bids Aloha
read … Won’t get it
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U.S. CONGRESSMAN KAIALIʻI KAHELE’S STATEMENT ON THE RETIREMENT OF HAWAIʻI STATE SENATOR KALANI ENGLISH
News Release from Rep Kai Kahele, April 27, 2021
HONOLULU, HI – U.S. Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele (HI-02) issued the following statement today on the retirement of Hawaiʻi State Senator J. Kalani English:
“Senator Kalani English served the people of Hawaiʻi with honor and distinction throughout his legislative career in the Hawaiʻi State Senate and the Maui County Council.
“Learning of Kalani’s retirement brings to mind my four years in the State Senate where I had the pleasure to serve alongside him and champion issues related to Native Hawaiian culture and environmental protection. Following the unexpected passing of my father & subsequent appointment, Kalani was instrumental in my transition to the State Senate. As an incoming freshman Senator, I felt extremely grateful then to have the support of the Majority Leader, a sentiment that remains to this day.
“Thank you Senator English for your dedicated years of service and contributions to our community. The people of Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and all of Hawaiʻi owe you an incredible debt of gratitude.
Best wishes to you during your retirement. My aloha and prayers are with you and your family at this time.”
Background:
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2018: Senate Majority Leader (and convicted cocaine dealer) J. Kalani ‘Powdernose’ English of Maui had eight absences this year. He racked up 12 absences last year…
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1996: Jamie "Kalani" English, now 30, was indicted by an Oahu grand jury on April 20, 1988, on a charge of promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree. He was arrested on the charge May 4, 1988, according to court records.