Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 3, 1 March 2011 — Morita will serve Hawaiʻi well as PUC Chair [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Morita will serve Hawaiʻi well as PUC Chair

Aloha Kākou, In early February, Governor Neil Abercrombie announced that he was annointina

State Representative Hermina Morita as the Chair of the Public Utilities Commission. Mina has represented Kaua'i's North Shore and East Side communities of Hana- _ lei, Anahola, Kealia, Kapa'a and Waipouli, while the PUC regulates and monitors energy, gasoline, transportation, telecommunications and wastewater businesses. As soon as I heard this news, I congratulated Mina

on her appointment because I know she will do a wonderful job. She has been a tireless and passionate advocate for the environment and has always done what is pono as Hawai'i balances our rich natural resources and cherished cultural history with the needs of our modern lives. And she has shown time and again that she is also well aware of the unique issues that affect our rural

communities throughout our State. From the day s we both served together on the Kaua'i Poliee Commission, I am lucky to have Mina as a good friend all these vears. Kaua'i

has been fortunate to have her as a State Representative and now all of Hawai'i nei will share in the good fortune of having her at the PUC. With the weahh of knowledge and experience she will take with her and as a dedicated public servant, Governor Abercrombie has made a sound ehoiee in appointing Mina Morita to be Chair of the PUC. Mahalo nui loa to Mina for

onee again answering the eall to public service. I know her leadership, vision, passion, dedication and heart will make Kaua'i and all of Hawai'i nei proud. She serves as a positive role model for women and Native Hawaiians everywhere - something that is sorely needed in the challenging times that lie ahead for the Hawaiian people. ■

Dūnald B. Cataluna TrustEE, Kaua'i and Ni'ihau