LIHU‘E — House Speaker Calvin Say, confirming rumors spread the previous day, announced Thursday that House Rep. Mina Morita, D-Kapa‘a-Hanalei accepted a position as the chair of the state Public Utilities Commission. “The appointment is bittersweet because I do have
LIHU‘E — House Speaker Calvin Say, confirming rumors spread the previous day, announced Thursday that House Rep. Mina Morita, D-Kapa‘a-Hanalei accepted a position as the chair of the state Public Utilities Commission.
“The appointment is bittersweet because I do have to leave the Legislature. There are a lot of relationships here that I cherish, and I truly enjoy the privilege of being able to represent Kaua‘i, but I welcome the challenge,” Morita said.
By accepting the chairmanship of PUC, Morita will have to step down from her seat at the state House of Representatives, a seat she held for 14 years.
Say called Morita’s departure “a great loss, but said the state will gain a competent and well-respected chair of the PUC.
“Her accomplishments at and contributions to the legislature were stellar, and on behalf of the House of Representatives, we wish Rep. Morita every success as she embarks upon a new challenge,” Say said.
Governor Neil Abercrombie announced Morita’s appointment about an hour after Say’s announcement.
“Hawai‘i has made good progress addressing energy issues, and Rep. Morita has been instrumental as one of the key lawmakers in making that happen,” Abercrombie said in the press release. “She is clearly committed to advancing clean energy, and she will bring credibility, knowledge and leadership to improve the Public Utilities Commission.”
The PUC has three members. Morita will fill the vacancy left by Leslie Kondo. The other two members are Carlito Caliboso and John Cole.
Caliboso has been the chair since 2003. When Abercrombie appointed Morita to the PUC, he also designated her as the chair. Her appointment, however, still requires confirmation by the state Senate.
The PUC is a rate-setting agency for franchised or certificated public service companies that operate in the state. It also determines the allowable rate of earnings and issues guidelines concerning the management of utility businesses, and acts on requests for the acquisition, sale, disposition or other exchange of utility properties, including mergers and consolidations.
“The PUC commission touches every resident, business throughout the state, looking at important services like the delivery of electricity, communication services and the barge cargo system, so it’s a daunting challenge,” Morita said.
Morita’s appointment leaves a vacancy in the House’s District 14. According to state law, the governor will appoint a replacement after receiving a list of candidates from Morita’s district and political party, the Democratic Party.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@kauaipubco.com.
