The Maui News

Hawai island Sen. Dru Kanuha has been named the new Senate majority leader after former Maui Sen. J. Kalani English retired on Saturday, the Senate announced.

Days after the state Legislature adjourned, the Senate outlined its new leadership and committees, with Sen. Ron Kouchi remaining Senate president and Sen. Michelle Kidani serving as vice president.

Sen. Gil Keith-Agaran, who represents Central Maui, will serve as assistant majority whip along with Sens. Brian Taniguchi and Clarence Nishihara.

Keith-Agaran will retain his roles as vice chair of the Ways and Means Committee and vice chair of the Water and Land Committee. He will also serve on the Higher Education Committee.

Sen. Roz Baker, who represents West and South Maui, will continue to head the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee and serve as vice chair of the Health Committee. She is also a member of the Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee.

English’s eventual replacement will serve on the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, as well as the Transportation Committee (of which English was a member) and the Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee (of which English was vice chair).

Sen. Bennette Misalucha has been appointed to take English’s place on the Ways and Means Committee.

Democratic Party leaders plan to meet on May 15 to nominate three candidates to fill English’s seat. Gov. David Ige has until June 30 to fill the vacancy.