Her death leaves a void on the ideologically split nine-member council as it confronts major housing policy decisions.

Maui County Council member Tasha Kama, a former pastor who was first elected to represent Kahului in 2018, died Sunday night, her family announced in a social media post .

“She dedicated her life to her family and community with love and compassion,” her family said, adding that a memorial service would be announced at a later date.

The eight other members of the council now have about a month under the county charter rules to determine who will fill the vacancy left by Kama, who chaired the Housing and Land Use Committee. If they fail to appoint a new council member, Mayor Richard Bissen will be given the power to appoint Kama’s successor.

Before her death, the ba

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