HONOLULU (AP) — House Speaker Joseph Souki says Rep. Karen Awana has resigned as majority floor leader. HONOLULU (AP) — House Speaker Joseph Souki says Rep. Karen Awana has resigned as majority floor leader. ADVERTISING Souki’s office said in a
HONOLULU (AP) — House Speaker Joseph Souki says Rep. Karen Awana has resigned as majority floor leader.
Souki’s office said in a statement Friday Awana was resigning because she doesn’t want to distract from the important work of the House.
Awana is facing Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission fines for failing to account for 50 expenditures made by her campaign since 2011.
The television station reported the questionable purchases topped $6,000 and included meals at Pizza Hut and Denny’s.
Souki says he accepted the Waianae Coast Democrat’s resignation so she can focus on “rectifying her situation.”
Souki says he hopes they can move ahead so the House may name Awana to be chairwoman of the newly created culture, arts and international affairs committee when the new legislative session begins.
