Joe Pontanilla
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Categories: Maui County, Hawaii | Hawaii Democrats
Joseph "Joe" Pontanilla is the sitting councilmember of the Maui County Council for the Kahului residency area. A nonpartisan seat, Pontanilla is a member of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i.
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Background
Pontanilla was born (April 22, 1942) and raised on Maui. He has been a resident of Kahului since the mid 1960s. He is a graduate of Baldwin High School. He also attended Maui Community College and West Oahu College. He has also served in the U.S. Army. Before entering politics, he worked for GTE HawaiianTel for 34 years -- the last ten as the manager for Maui County. He is a member of Kahului Lions Club and the Korean War Veterans -- Maui No Ka Oi Council.
Election and Office
2002 Election and 2003-2005 term
Pontanilla ran for the Kahului residency seat of the Maui County Council in 2002. This seat was opened by Alan Arakawa's second attempt at mayor. Pontanilla ran against Mele Carroll, Herman Andaya and Nick Casumpang.
Pontanilla came in second in the primary with 7064 votes. Mele Carroll won with 7137 votes. Andaya and Casumpang came in third and fourth. Maui Election Returns 2002 Primary
Pontanilla went on to win the general election with 18525 votes compared to Mele Carroll's 16178. Maui Election Returns 2002 General
Pontanilla served as the Housing and Human Services Committee Chair during his first term.
2004 Election and 2005-2007 term
In 2004, Pontanilla was challenged by Lance Collins. Pontanilla won re-election with 22077 votes compared to Lance Collins's 17390. Maui Election Returns 2004 General
During the election, Pontanilla was endorsed by the Maui Chamber of Commerce. Chamber endorses candidates Maui Land and Pineapple Co. also endorsed Pontanilla. M&LP issues election picks
During the campaign, Collins attacked Pontanilla for his pro-development positions like voting in favor of failed proposal for Puunoa Village at Puamana. Council candidates air differences
Pontanilla served as the Public Works Committee Chair during his second term. During his term, Pontanilla expressed concern over available housing proposals that excluded those making between 121 and 140 percent of the median income. Councilors not done with A&B project Pontanilla criticized the Hale Mua 201G fast track application for segregating affordable housing units from luxury houses. Hale Mua review stalls in committee Pontanilla also supported the luxury homes development of Kapalua Mauka. Kapalua project moves along
Shortly after the Kapalua Mauka approval, Pontanilla and other supporters were discovered dining together with officials of Alexander and Baldwin at Mama's Fish House in Kuau. Select few councilors dine with A&B chiefsPontanilla also supported an increase in porkbarrel funding to the Maui Visitors Bureau. MVB funding hike kept alive
2006 Election and 2007-2009 term
In 2006, Pontanilla was again challenged by attorney Lance Collins. Pontanilla won re-election with 17701 votes compared to Lance Collins's 16249. Maui Election Returns 2006 General Election
Before Pontanilla filed to run for office, the ILWU endorsed him for re-election. Maui ILWU issues early endorsement Pontanilla felt the biggest concern of his campaign was whether the Kahului Wastewater Facility could be moved out the tsunami zone. Contrasts abound in Kahului race The Maui Contractors Association also endorsed Pontanilla. Maui Contractors Association
Pontanilla serves as the Budget and Finance Committee Chair during his third term. One of the first acts of his third term involved approving real estate agent, Kent Hiranaga to a partial term on the Maui Planning Commission. Hiranaga was appointed on the penultimate day of Alan Arakawa's term as mayor without review by Arakawa's own blue ribbon panel. Hiranaga receives preliminary nod Pontanilla also voted to approve the controversial new Wailea 670 project district which would put 700 new luxury units in South Kihei and 700 affordable units in a light industrial zoned area of North Kihei. Honua'ula wins committee OK Also see, Honua'ula clears first reading Also see, Honua'ula approved with conditions
External Links
Official County Website Councilmember Joseph Pontanilla's Page
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