Funeral services for former state Rep. Diana "Mele" Carroll will be held next month on Oahu and Maui.
Carroll, known for supporting issues of the underdogs, served Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Molokini and parts of Maui in the state House of Representatives.
According to an announcement from the House Democrats, a memorial service at Borthwick Mortuary near downtown Honolulu is scheduled for Friday. A public viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by a service. A celebration of life will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Lei are welcome.
On March 15 a Maui memorial service will be held at Ballard Family Mortuary in Kahului. Lei and floral arrangements are welcome at the service, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., following a viewing that begins at 9 a.m. Burial will take place at 3 p.m. at Valley Isle Memorial Park in Haiku off Hana Highway.
Carroll showed an early interest in politics and was appointed in 2005 by then-Gov. Linda Lingle to the state House of Representatives. Carroll represented the 13th House District of East Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and Molokini.
Beyond politics she also served as head coach of Lahainaluna High School’s girls varsity basketball team. Carroll was also a past president of the Waikikena Foundation and the Maui AIDS Foundation.
She had been suffering complications from her cancer treatments and gave up her seat on the House Committee on Human Services and her membership in the Health and Housing committees after consulting with doctors and family.
Carroll died last week at age 50.
She is survived by husband Warren K. Carroll, daughter Kai‘ulani Angel, mother Magnolia "Maggie" Soares, brothers Wayne and Jason Soares, and sisters Rosalynn Nuuanu and Kahealani Soares.
