Eduardo Malapit

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Eduardo Malapit
Mayor of Kauai
In office
1974–1982
Preceded byFrancis M. F. Ching
Succeeded byTony Kunimura
Personal details
Born(1933-04-06)April 6, 1933
Hanapepe, Kauai, Hawaii
DiedAugust 27, 2007(2007-08-27) (aged 74)
Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseElizabeth
Alma materUniversity of Hawaiʻi
Notre Dame Law School

Eduardo Enabore Malapit (April 6, 1933 – August 27, 2007) was an American

Filipino American mayor of any United States municipality.[1] He was widely respected in Kauai and throughout Hawaii for his belief in community service,[2] and was known as "Mala" by friends and constituents.[1]

Early life

Eduardo Malapit was born in

Pool Hall during the 1960s.[1] He often worked as a shoeshiner in front of his parents' business. Malapit attended Waimea High School in Kauai, where he played football.[3]

Malapit obtained a

Law School in 1962.[1] He worked as a public prosecutor after graduation.[3]

Political career

Eduardo Malapit's first public office was as a councilman on the Kauai County Council for eight years.[1]

Malapit was elected as

Filipino American descent in the United States.[3] Malapit served as mayor for four consecutive two-year terms (total of 8 years) from 1974 until 1982.[1] According to news reports, Malapit kept a pair of firefighting boots hidden behind a curtain in his office while mayor in order to respond quickly to emergencies.[3]

Malapit oversaw a development boom, as well as difficult periods, while mayor of Kauai. Malapit is often credited with improving and updating Kauai's infrastructure during his tenure as mayor. Under his authority, Kauai's public parks were renovated. Brand new community centers, police stations, fire stations, sewage treatment plants, and garbage transfer stations were built on the island.[2] However, Malapit's term as mayor also coincided with the Nukoli'i development, which caused an island-wide controversy.[3] Malapit's own mayoral office was heavily damaged by a pipe bomb.[3] It is believed that Malapit was targeted because of the Nukoli'i development. The perpetrators of the bombing were never captured and are still at large.[3]

Malapit left the mayor's office in 1982. His next post as a public official was the chairman of the Hawaii state Board of

Industrial Relations.[1] Malapit held that post from 1983 to 1987.[1]

Malapit served as the

County of Kauai from 1987 to 1990.[2] He also worked as a part-time magistrate.[1]

Community service

Malapit was known in Kauai for his leadership in

Koloa Youth Baseball Organization.[2]

Additionally, Malapit served as president of the Koloa school

Catholic schools.[2] Malapit was also active on the Kauai Filipino Community Council.[2]

Death

Eduardo Malapit died on Monday, August 27, 2007 at

Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii.[1] He was 74 years old. Malapit was survived by his wife, Elizabeth, to whom he had been married for 45 years, and four sons, Kevin, Lon, Kent and Lyle.[2]

U.S. Representative Mazie Hirono (D-HI) commented on Malapit's life, "He was my friend and supporter. He was a colorful and humble man who had a great sense of loyalty and friendship. I will certainly miss Mala."[1] Malapit had supported Hirono during her successful run for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii in 1994.[1]

External links

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Bernardo, Rosemarie (2007-08-29). "Former Kauai mayor saw development boom on isle". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Archived from the original on 2007-10-14. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Former Mayor Eduardo Malapit dies at 74". The Garden Island. 2007-08-28. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
  3. ^
    Honolulu Advertiser
    . 2007-08-29. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
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