Governor Appoints Annelle Amaral to Hawaii Paroling Authority

News Release from Office of Governor

HONOLULU –Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the appointment of Annelle C. Amaral to the Hawaii Paroling Authority, effective immediately. 

The interim appointment fills a new seat in compliance with Act 139 of the 2012 Legislature, which increased Hawaii Paroling Authority members from three to five. Subject to state Senate confirmation, Amaral’s term will expire June 30, 2015. 

“Annelle’s breadth of experience is as impressive as it is diverse, ranging from state Legislator to Native Hawaiian cultural liaison to motorpatrol officer, all of which will provide valuable insight and the necessary perspective critical to her duties on the Hawaii Paroling Authority,”said Gov. Abercrombie.

From 1988 to 1996, Amaral served in the state House of Representatives, where she served as Majority Floor Leader, vice chair of the Judiciary and Housing Committees, and chair of the Women’s Legislative Caucus.

For more than a decade, Amaral has provided community facilitation, strategic planning and community coordination for a wide range of government agencies, businesses and organizations. From 2008 until recently, she worked as a Native Hawaiian liaison to the Garrison Commander, U.S. Army Hawaii, providing information, coordination and direction on matters relating to Army and Native Hawaiian concerns.

Previously, Amaral was director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Hawaii from 2002 to 2008, as well as special projects coordinator on projects relating to domestic violence for Legal Aid Society of Hawaii from 1999 to 2001. 

During the Ariyoshi Administration, Amaral coordinated the Governor’s Executive Order for the Affirmative Action program on a statewide basis, provided technical assistance to departments in the executive branch and served as a liaison with federal compliance agencies. She also worked as a coordinator for the Coalition Against Sexual Assault, a program administrator for YWCA Hawaii, an assistant administrator for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, a motorpatrol officer for the Honolulu Police Department, and a private investigator.

Amaral is a former state Senate President-appointed member of the Hawaii State Judicial Selection Commission; first vice president of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Oahu Council; and board member of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. She is a past president and founder of Ahahui Siwila Hawaii O Kapolei; past chair of the Oahu County Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; former chair and member of the Hawaii Coalition Against Sexual Assault; and past chair of the Women’s Legislative Coalition.

Her extensive accolades include being the Women’s History Month Honoree of the State Commission on the Status of Women (2011), as well as the recipient of the Patsy T. Mink Award of Excellence (2009), Lei Hulu Mamo Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Hawaiian Business Association (1999), Legislator of the Year from the Hawaii Psychological Association (1991), and Officer of the Year from the International Association of Women Police Officers (1981).

Amaral, who resides in Honolulu, earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Dayton, Ohio.

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