Maui County Council members celebrated their victories Thursday morning during an inauguration ceremony at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.

With all incumbent candidates returning, the nine council members representing various districts in Maui County were honored alongside family and friends by oli and song by Kumu Hula Cody Pueo Pata, Mark Palakiko, members of the Maui Fire Department and performances by Hālau Hula ‘o Ka Malama Mahilani and Kumu Hula Ku’ulei Alcomindras-Palakiko.

Lui Hokoana, chancellor of the University Hawai’i Maui College, hosted the ceremony that began with a welcome and introduction of the council members, followed by a presentation of colors by the Maui Fire Department’s honor guard.

There was also a singing of the national anthem and “Hawai’i Pono’ī” by retired Battalion Chief Louis Romero, Capt. Ikaika Blackburn and firefighter Jerry “Pito” Javier.

Next was an oath or affirmation of office by the Hawai’i Circuit Court Judge Kirstin M. Hamman and a presentation of certificates by Maui County Clerk Moana Lutey and Deputy Clerk Richelle Thomson.

Hokoana offered the acknowledgement of distinguished guests including Maui kupuna, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, representatives from various county departments and more.

There was a speech by Maui honor student Anica Jihae Ancheta, who is also an aspiring astrophysicist and Hawaiʻi Life Sciences Scholarship recipient, followed by more dance and song from Hālau Hula ‘o Ka Malama Mahilani, who later concluded the ceremony with a collective “Hawai’i Aloha.”

The council members honored Thursday included South Maui representative Tom Cook; Gabe Johnson, representing Lānaʻi; Tasha Kama, representing the Kahului district; Alice Lee, representing the Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū residency area; Tamara Paltin, who holds the county council seat for West Maui; Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, representing Molokai; Shane M. Sinenci, representing East Maui; Yuki Lei Sugimura, representing the Upcountry area; and Nohelani Uʻu-Hodgins, representing Makawao, Haʻikū and Pāʻia.

In attendance was Bonnie Newman from South Maui, who said she enjoyed the performances and thought the event was overall “very well done.”

“It is so interesting to see,” she said. “Each one is so individual, and hopefully they can continue to work together.”

Jacob Janikowski was invited by council member Johnson and took the ferry from Lānaʻi that morning to attend. He also enjoyed Thursday’s experience.

“Especially coming from Lānaʻi, it’s good to, you know, instead of sending another email, to be there in person to thank them. It’s just a breath of fresh air,” he said.

Janikowski worked with Johnson on the Lānaʻi skatepark and with the Lānaʻi youth council who advocated for the park. He said if the youth council is initiated again, he would like to work with them in some capacity. Overall, he said he’s looking forward to the next few years.

“It’s good. A lot of familiar faces, which is not a bad thing. I think they’ve done a lot of good and hopefully they continue to do so,” he said.

The inauguration can be viewed on Akakū, or on the Maui County Council YouTube or Facebook page at facebook.com/MauiCountyCouncil.