Gov. David Ige today announced the appointment of state Board of Agriculture Member Lynn DeCoite to serve as representative in state House District 13, which includes East Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe.

The seat was vacated after former state Rep. Mele Carroll resigned on Feb. 1 due to complications from her cancer treatments. Carroll died on Wednesday.

DeCoite lives in Hoolehua on Molokai, where she is an owner of L&R Farm Enterprises and R.J.’s Snacks, and co-owner of V-8 Ranch. In 2007 DeCoite was winner of the Maui County Mayor’s Small Business Award.

She has served as chairwoman of the Maui County Farm Service Agency, and as president of the Molokai Homestead Farmer’s Alliance. She is a former board member of the Molokai Planning Commission, and former Parent Teacher Student Organization President for Molokai Middle School. She was also part of the Molokai Workforce Development Agricultural Working Group. 

DeCoite has served on the Board of Agriculture since 2012, but will resign from the board to assume her new responsibilities. 

“I’m confident Ms. DeCoite knows the issues facing the district and will listen to her constituents to address their concerns,” Ige said in a written statement. “She has deep roots in the community, and is committed to overcoming the challenges by forming partnerships and working collaboratively.”

DeCoite will officially assume her new role after she takes the oath of office and is qualified and seated by the state House of Representatives.

“I’m deeply honored to serve the community in this capacity,” DeCoite said in a statement. “This is an opportunity for me to help address issues like drought, food gathering and security, emergency response programs, and the promotion of economic development for small and large businesses.”