Mike Molina

Mike Molina, who chairs the council’s Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee, said his legislative accomplishments include authoring the affordable housing fund, the first-time homebuyers fund, the outdoor lighting bill and the plastic bag reduction bill. The Sierra Club recognized him for his Plastic Bag Reduction Legislation, the first in Hawaii. Molina first served in council from 2001-10. From 2011-17, he was executive assistant to former Mayor Alan Arakawa. In 2018, he was elected to council and handily won re-election in 2020. Aside from his council role, he currently works as a substitute teacher for the state Department of Education. Molina, who often encourages people to teach, was a DOE instructor from 1987 to 2000 and received recognition for teaching from Honolulu Star-Bulletin.  Born on Maui and raised in Makawao, Molina is a 1978 graduate of Maui High School. He graduated from the University of Hawaii at Hilo with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and education. Molina is a military veteran who served in the United States Air Force and Hawaii Air National Guard. He also has a history of community service, including recognition from Maui Volunteer Center and Upcountry Rotary Club. He is married to his wife of 30 years, Cielo Batan Molina. They have three children: Ian, Aimee and Malia, along with five grandchildren.  He also serves as board member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Maui Evangelical Church and the Kalama School Community Council.