Maryanne Kusaka

Maryanne Winona Kusaka (born September 11, 1935) is an American politician, educator and former Mayor of the County of Kaua'i.[1] She was mayor of Kauai from 1994 to 2002. A career Republican, Kusaka sought a seat in the Hawai'i State Senate in 2004 but lost to the Democratic Party's Gary Hooser by 16,274 votes to 8,270.

Maryanne Kusaka
Mayor of Kauai
In office
December 1994 – December 2, 2002
Preceded byJoAnn Yukimura
Succeeded byBryan Baptiste
Personal details
BornSeptember 11, 1935
Kamuela, Hawaii
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Charles "Bull" Kusaka
Children1
Alma materUniversity of Northern Colorado

Kusaka was born in Kamuela on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Her parents, George Joseph Pinho and Mary Garcia Pinho, moved the family to Hana on the island of Maui, where Kusaka was raised.[2] She has two brothers, Kirtley Pinho and Glenn Pinho, and an adopted sister, Kehaulani Quartero.

Kusaka graduated from Mid Pacific Institute in Honolulu and then attended the University of Northern Colorado to become an elementary school teacher. In 1964, Kusaka moved from Maui to Kauai.[2] For over 33 years, Kusaka taught at various elementary schools on the island of Kauai, including at Kapaa Elementary School where she had future Kauai mayor Bernard Carvalho in her classroom.[2] She continued teaching up until her election to the mayor's office in 1994.

After her unsuccessful run in 2004 for the Hawai'i State Senate, Kusaka retired from politics.[3] She continued to serve the community as president of the board of directors of Kauai Museum.[2]

Kusaka's husband is Charles Yoshio "Bull" Kusaka. She has one son, "Hawaii’s Entertainer" Junior Kekuewa Jr.[2][3][4]

References
  1. "Kukuiula Plantation House groundbreaking, blessing held Tuesday". Hawaii News Now. Dec 14, 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  2. Fujimoto, Dennis (13 September 2015). "Talk Story: Maryanne Kusaka". The Garden Island. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  3. Curtis, Paul C. (9 November 2004). "Kusaka won't run again". The Garden Island. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  4. "In the footsteps of 'Uncle Don'". Honolulu Star Bulletin. 15 January 2010. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
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