In 1978, Maui Mayor Elmer Cravalho won reelection to a second term,[4] but he suddenly left office only months later.

[4] The vacancy left by Cravalho's resignation necessitated a special mayoral election.

[4] In October 1979, Hannibal Tavares won the special mayoral election to complete the remainder of Cravalho's term.

[4] He retired from office on January 2, 1991, and was succeeded by Republican Linda Lingle.

[6] He died at Maui Memorial Hospital in Wailuku, Hawaii, on January 17, 1998, at the age of 78.