Lynn DeCoite
Lynn DeCoite | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Hawaii Senate from the 7th district | |
| Assumed office June 17, 2021 | |
| Appointed by | David Ige |
| Preceded by | J. Kalani English |
| Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives from the 13th district | |
| In office February 20, 2015 – June 17, 2021 | |
| Appointed by | David Ige |
| Preceded by | Mele Carroll |
| Succeeded by | Linda Ann Ha’i Clark |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 24, 1970 Oahu, Hawaii |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence(s) | Hoolehua, Molokai |
Lynn Pualani DeCoite (born July 24, 1970) is a member of the Hawaii State Senate for District 7, appointed by Governor David Ige to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Senator J. Kalani English. Prior to her appointment, DeCoite was a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives for District 13, since having been appointed by Governor David Ige to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of the late Representative Mele Carroll after the 2015 legislative session began. A former member of the Hawaii State Board of Agriculture, she resigned her position when appointed.[1]
District 13 is a rural district encompassing parts of Maui on three inhabited islands:
- Parts of Maui island: Haiku, Hāna, Kaupo, Kīpahulu, Nahiku, Pāʻia
- All of Lānaʻi, and
- All of Molokaʻi
The district also represents the uninhabited islands of Kahoʻolawe and Molokini.
DeCoite is a resident of Hoolehua, Molokai and owns L&R Farm Enterprises and RJ Snacks.[2][3]
DeCoitte has been appointed to five House committees:
- Agriculture
- Economic Development & Business
- Finance
- Tourism
- Veterans, Military, & International Affairs, & Culture and the Arts[4]
Controversy
Representative DeCoite has been an advocate for cockfighting, which is illegal in Hawaii, and has supported the recognition of cockfighting as a cultural activity.[5] In testimony to the state house prior to her appointment, she testified that ending cockfighting could cause global warming and have other impacts: "These animals will fight with out humans that is there common nature. Humans have altered some many things in the world that we have become our worst enemies. That has been linked to climate change. If we keep making to many changes we will destroy ourselves, and the life forms that exist around us."[6]
References
- ^ "Decoite Sworn in as Representative of House District 13". KHON2. Feb 19, 2015.
- ^ "Representative Lynn DeCoite". Hawaii State Capitol. State of Hawaii.
- ^ "DeCoite sworn in as Representative of House District 13". KHON2. 19 February 2015.
- ^ "Representative Lynn DeCoit". Hawaii State Capitol. State of Hawaii.
- ^ Ahles, Jessica (4 April 2014). "Kuhio Day Celebration". Molokai Dispatch. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ^ Testimony to COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, CULTURE & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (PDF) (Testimony HR199), March 29, 2010, p. 31