Enumclaw City Councilman Kevin Mahelona died Saturday after suffering complications from a rare type of pneumonia, said friend and local business leader Charles Bender.
The Courier-Herald reports Mahelona, 54, was battling acute interstitial pneumonia.
Mahelona's current term with the City Council, in which he also served as Mayor Pro tempore, was to expire at the end of 2013. According to the City of Enumclaw, this was his third term. "He was a true civic leader who worked tirelessly and selfishly on behalf of all citizens to make Enumclaw a great place to live," said a city statement.
King County Executive Dow Constantine released the following statement on Sunday, Nov. 18:
“My heartfelt sympathy is with the friends, coworkers and family of Enumclaw City Councilmember Kevin Mahelona. The close-knit Enumclaw community is in the thoughts of everyone at King County government today. We are certain that all those in town will feel the impact of this loss, just as they also felt the benefit from his many years of service to the community.”
A public service for Mahelona will take place on Saturday, Nov. 24 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Enumclaw at 11 a.m.
Again, from the city of Enumclaw: "We please ask that no flowers be brought to the service. If you would like to show your support, the family asks to please donate blood to the local Puget Sound Blood Center."
The next meeting of the Enumclaw City Council takes place Monday, Nov. 26. According to City Attorney Mike Reynolds, pursuant to state law, the remaining Council members must appoint a councilman as Mayor Pro Tem by majority vote. It also must appoint a qualified person to fill the position left vacant within 90 days of when the vacancy occurred. If Council fails to meet the timeline, the King County Council will do the appointment. That person will serve until the next election in 2013.
