Arakawa Inaugurated Maui Mayor, Calls for working together

Mrs. Ann Arakawa and Maui newly-elected Mayor Alan Arakawa

Arakawa Inaugurated Maui Mayor

Calls for working together

KAHULUI, Maui-- Before a crowd of about a thousand jubilant well wishers, friends, guests and supporters, Alan M . Arakawa was inaugurated Maui County Mayor last January 2 at the War Memorial Gymnasium. His oath was administered by Honorable Rhonda Loo, District Court of the Second Circuit Judge. Mayor Arakawa was joined by his wife Ann and two daughters, Jan and Jodi.

            In his inaugural address, Arakawa made some pledges and enumerated  What he would like to accomplish during his term such as streamlining the permitting process, generating  revenues for the county, getting water to the people, pursuing  affordable housing projects, and finding more ways to become sustainable.

“It may take months or even years but we will make this county a better place to do business and to live for our generation and for generations to come,” Arakawa  said with conviction. “I pledge to honor the priorities you have set by doing what I’ve always done, by acting upon them,” he added. “And to the county council members I pledge to work together with you on every issue. I also pledge that each and every one of my appointees will be held to the highest standard.”

He also asked for cooperation. “We will accomplish this by working together, from county park staffers to council committee members, from the small business owner to upscale resort workers. We all need to do our part, because this mess of an economy we’re in isn’t going to straighten itself out on its own,” he added.

 Accepting accountability for mistakes he had done in the past, Arakawa said, “I’ve made mistakes in the past which I’ve reflected upon over the last four years. Now, I have a second chance to make things right again.”

He ended with a final promise, “I pledge that my administration will do everything possible to create these opportunities for success.”

During the same event, his cabinet members were also inaugurated by Judge Loo.