Cabanilla appointed as House Majority Floor Leader

Hawaii state Rep. Rida Cabanilla is replacing Rep. Karen Awana as Majority Floor Leader in the House.

Speaker Joseph Souki said Monday afternoon that he believes the Democrat will remain a positive force in the Legislature with the move.

Awana resigned her post as floor leader on Friday amid an investigation into how she spent campaign funds.

Souki says he accepted her resignation so she could focus on "rectifying her situation." Awana is still a House member.

Cabanilla is chairwoman of the Housing Committee, representing Ewa, Waipahu and nearby areas. She has been in the House since 2005.