Terez Amato was recently endorsed by HSTA and teachers.

KIHEI – Stating that she is “honored to be the only truly progressive choice in this election for State Senate,” Democrat Terez Amato of Kihei is running for the State Senate District Six seat.

She will face off with incumbent Sen. Rosalyn Baker of Lahaina in the Democratic Primary on Aug. 11. Green Party candidate Melissah Shishido is also seeking the seat representing South and West Maui.

Amato grew up on Maui and raised her four children here. She said she is running because, “Hawaii deserves a new senator who is working for the people, not for the corporations and lobbyists that have hijacked our political system.

“Maui is not for sale. Our government must always serve our community and protect our environment, ensuring that all of Maui’s families share a healthful and prosperous future. That is why I have vowed to never take any money from corporations or lobbyists.”

Amato was recently endorsed by HSTA and teachers.

“Our teachers are the foundation of our future. I am honored to stand up for our keiki and our teachers with more than just words. I vow to support salary increases for all teachers, actually building the new high school in Kihei and better secure funding streams for education. We as a society must take care of those that ensure a good future for our children,” she said.

Amato explained that she is running now because Maui and the state are at a critical point.

She said, “It’s time to unite with our neighbors to create new leadership this year. Our families’ future depends on the choices we make today. We must choose wisely; choose vision, innovation and leaders who are working for the people, not corporations, because those are the new leaders who are actually working for you. On August 11th, the people of Maui will take back their political system!”

For more information, contact the Friends of Terez Amato at Terez@TerezAmato.org or visit www.TerezAmato.Org.

In other news, West Maui Taxpayers Association last week announced that it will host a Primary Candidates Night at Lahaina Civic Center on Wednesday, July 25, at 5 p.m.

The only known forum of its kind in West Maui, the event will feature candidates for Maui mayor, West Maui County Council, State House District 10 and State Senate District 6. For more information, go to www.westmaui.org.

WMTA last week recognized a new president, Joseph D. Pluta, a former president of the association and a founding director nearly 40 years ago.

The WMTA bylaws state that a director’s position automatically becomes vacant when a member of the WMTA board officially becomes a candidate for public office, which is the case of former President Frederick “Rick” Nava, who is running against Tamara Paltin and Ernest Balinbin for the West Maui seat on the County Council.

Nava served four years on the WMTA board, the last two as president. The WMTA board acknowledged Nava’s contributions to the?West Maui community at its monthly meeting on June 12.