Mamo Cummings, president of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, filed nomination papers yesterday with the Kaua‘i County Elections Division yesterday to run as a Republican candidate for the state House of Representative District 14. The election district includes areas from
Mamo Cummings, president of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, filed nomination papers yesterday with the Kaua‘i County Elections Division yesterday to run as a Republican candidate for the state House of Representative District 14.
The election district includes areas from Wailua Houselots to Ha‘ena.
The seat is held by incumbent state Rep. Hermina M. “Mina” Morita, a Democrat who is seeking reelection.
She filed nomination papers with Kaua‘i County election officials earlier this month.
In a statement, Cummings said, if she is elected, her primary focus will be to “find effective and immediate solutions to Kapa‘a’s exasperating traffic problem, Kaua‘i’s devastating ice (crystal methamphetamine) problem, and helping residents qualify for better-paying jobs.
“These are real and serious issues that our residents have faced for many years, and it’s time to take real and serious action to fix them,” Cummings said.
Cummings has led the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce since 1999.
She said she has worked diligently to help Kaua‘i businesses, especially small companies with fewer than 10 employees, by promoting networking opportunities.
To help businesses, she said she and her staff have promoted businesses on the Web site of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce and in the organization’s business directory, and have advocated business issues to state and county government officials.
Prior to being named to the Chamber position, Cummings worked with the Kaua‘i County Office of Economic Development, where among her duties she managed federal grants totaling $5.5 million.
Cummings said she also worked on projects that included restoration of the historic Waimea Theatre, the West Kauai Technology & Visitors Center and the Kaua‘i Resource Center.
Cummings is a third-generation resident and a Kapa‘a High School graduate.
She attended Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., where she studied music theory and business administration.
After completing her studies, she worked in banking and real estate, and owned her own insurance agency.
She returned to Kaua‘i in 1995 to be closer to her family.
According to Chamber officials, it does not appear Cummings will have to resign from her paid position with the Chamber in order to seek the elected public office.
Lester Chang, staff writer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or lchang@pulitzer.net.
