Health issues have prompted Rep. Mele Carroll to step down as chairwoman of the House Human Services Committee, the neighbor island representative said last week in a news release.

She did not elaborate on the health concerns.

"It has been a truly humbling experience to serve as the chair of the Human Services Committee for the past two years," Carroll said in a statement Wednesday.

"At the helm of this committee, I was able to work to address the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities from the keiki to the kupuna on topics such as Medicaid to foster care and child protective services, to name a few."

Carroll (D, Lanai-Molokai-Paia-Hana) did not return a telephone message seeking comment.

In the release, Carroll said she asked House Speaker Joe Souki if she could be reassigned from the chairwoman’s role, a move that would allow her to concentrate on her family, health and district.

Rep. Dee Morikawa (D, Niihau-Koloa-Kokee) was tapped to be the new human services chairwoman.

Morikawa has been vice chairwoman of the House Health Committee for four years and was a member of the human services, housing and finance committees.

She said her familiarity with the human services, housing and health committees should prove to be beneficial.

"They’re all related, these issues, so I think because the chairs know each so well we will be able to work together to get better policies out," Morikawa said in an interview.