State lawmaker resigns following campaign fines

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Just one day after an exclusive report we first brought to you Thursday, State Rep. Karen Awana submitted her resignation as Hawaii House of Representatives Majority Floor Leader.

The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission filed a complaint alleging Awana's campaign had 50 unaccounted purchases since 2011, resulting in $8,590 in fines.

Speaker Joseph M. Souki issued this statement:

"I appreciate all that Representative Awana has done for the House and after much consideration I have accepted her resignation so that she may focus on rectifying her situation. It is my hope that we can move ahead so that we may name her Chair of the newly created Committee on Culture and the Arts & International Affairs in the upcoming legislative session," said Speaker Souki.

EXCLUSIVE: State lawmaker faces new campaign fines