Eduardo Malapit | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Kauai | |
| In office 1974–1982 | |
| Preceded by | Francis M. F. Ching |
| Succeeded by | Tony Kunimura |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1933-04-06)April 6, 1933 |
| Died | August 27, 2007(2007-08-27) (aged 74) Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Elizabeth |
| Alma mater | University of Hawaiʻi Notre Dame Law School |
Eduardo Enabore Malapit (April 6, 1933 – August 27, 2007) was an AmericanDemocraticpolitician who served asMayor of Kauai, Hawaii. Elected for four consecutive two-year terms as mayor of Kauai beginning in 1974, he was the firstFilipino American mayor of any United Statesmunicipality.[1] He was widely respected in Kauai and throughout Hawaii for his belief incommunity service,[2] and was known as "Mala" by friends andconstituents.[1]
Eduardo Malapit was born inKauai on April 6, 1933.[3] He was raised in the town ofHanapepe.[3] Malapit's father and mother, Eusebio and Leonila Malapit, owned the HanapepePool Hall during the 1960s.[1] He often worked as a shoeshiner in front of his parents' business. Malapit attendedWaimea High School in Kauai, where he playedfootball.[3]
Malapit obtained abachelor's degree ineconomics from theUniversity of Hawaiʻi. He went on to receive ajurisprudence degree from theUniversity of Notre DameLaw School in 1962.[1] He worked as a publicprosecutor after graduation.[3]
Eduardo Malapit's first public office was as a councilman on theKauai County Council for eight years.[1]
Malapit was elected asMayor of Kauai in 1974, becoming the first mayor ofFilipino 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 theNukoli'i development, which caused an island-wide controversy.[3] Malapit's own mayoral office was heavily damaged by apipe 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 ofLabor andIndustrial Relations.[1] Malapit held that post from 1983 to 1987.[1]
Malapit served as thegovernor's representative for theCounty of Kauai from 1987 to 1990.[2] He also worked as a part-timemagistrate.[1]
Malapit was known in Kauai for his leadership incommunity service. He held the positions of president and legal adviser for the KauaiPop Warner football league.[3] He also served as president of the West KauaiJaycees.[2] Malapit also worked with a number of other sports related organizations including theKoloa Youth Baseball Organization.[2]
Additionally, Malapit served as president of the Koloa schoolPTA and the KoloaLions Club.[2] He worked as the director of theHawaii Visitors Bureau, a statewide position.[2] A practicingRoman Catholic, Malapit was appointed to the Kauai CatholicVicariate board which advises theBishop on issues facing local KauaiCatholic schools.[2] Malapit was also active on theKauai Filipino Community Council.[2]
Eduardo Malapit died on Monday, August 27, 2007 atWilcox Memorial Hospital inLihue, 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. RepresentativeMazie 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 forLieutenant Governor of Hawaii in 1994.[1]