Rep. Marumoto Calling It Quits

State Rep. Barbara Marumoto

After more than three decades in the State Legislature, Barbara Marumoto is calling it quits.

A Realtor-associate who’s active in the East Oahu community and the Republican Party locally and nationally, Marumoto announced last month that she will not stand for reelection this year.

“It’s been an honor to serve in the House of Representatives,” she said, “and a privilege to serve the good people of the state of Hawaii. I will be at my desk until the general election and continue to work in the community thereafter.

“I leave my post with some regret,” she added, “because of an unfinished agenda.”

Marumoto has represented District 19 (Kalani Valley to Diamond Head) since 1978 and earned many awards for her leadership during that time. She was instrumental in the passage of bills to restart the Dog Detection Program to fight invasive species, several CIP measures for her district (Leahi Hospital, KCC maintenance, Kalani High library, Diamond Head trails) and a resolution to have Congress establish a Women’s History Center.

“The people of her district are losing a great leader and stateswoman,” said her colleague Gene Ward, R-17th District (Kalani Valley to Hawaii Kai). “She will always be remembered as the one who killed Gov. Abercrombie’s proposal to tax pensions. Barbara is a lot like Fred Hemmings and Frank Fasi, in that she will never stop working for the people of Hawaii.”

To continue contact with Marumoto after Nov. 1, residents may email repmarumoto@gmail.com.