A panel tasked with redrawing Hawaii election district lines has started its work and will come up with a draft plan by late July.

The 2011 Reapportionment Commission held its first meeting last week.

Districts are reshaped once a decade to reflect population shifts determined by the U.S. Census.

Government accountability group Common Cause reported that Hawaii Republican Party Executive Director Dylan Nonaka was elected temporary chairman of the commission while it searches for a permanent leader.

Half of the eight-member commission was appointed by Democrats, and the other half by Republicans, and they will together vote on choosing their chairman.

A final reapportionment plan must be completed by mid-September, according to Common Cause.