HAWAII – The State Senate today confirmed the chairs for all 14 committees. The senate reorganized under new Senate President Ron Kouchi just before the end of the 2015 session, ousting previous president Donna Mercado Kim.
This lineup of committee leadership is a thoughtful and effective placement of our Senators. With these new configured committees, we believe we are able to better address the important issues that face our State.”Senate President Ron Kouchi
The politics of this change leaves Big Island State Senators Josh Green and Russell Ruderman without committee leadership positions.
Here is the official list:
Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health (CPH)
Chair: Sen. Rosalyn Baker
Vice Chair: Sen. Michelle Kidani
Economic Development, Environment, and Technology (EET)
Chair: Sen. Glenn Wakai
Vice Chair: Sen. Sam Slom
Education (EDU)
Chair: Sen. Michelle Kidani
Vice Chair: Sen. Breene Harimoto
Government Operations (GVO)
Chair: Sen. Donna Mercado Kim
Vice Chair: Sen. Les Ihara, Jr.
Hawaiian Affairs (HWN)
Chair: Sen. Maile S.L. Shimabukuro
Vice Chair: Sen. J. Kalani English
Human Services (HMS)
Chair: Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland
Vice Chair: Sen. Gil Riviere
Higher Education and the Arts (HEA)
Chair: Sen. Brian Taniguchi
Vice Chair: Sen. Gilbert Kahele
Housing (HOU)
Chair: Sen. Breene Harimoto
Vice Chair: Sen. Brickwood Galuteria
Judiciary and Labor (JDL)
Chair: Sen. Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran
Vice Chair: Sen. Maile S.L. Shimabukuro
Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs (PSM)
Chair: Sen. Clarence K. Nishihara
Vice Chair: Sen. Will Espero
Tourism and International Affairs (TSI)
Chair: Sen. Gilbert Kahele
Vice Chair: Sen. J. Kalani English
Transportation and Energy (TRE)
Chair: Sen. Lorraine R. Inouye
Vice Chair: Sen. Mike Gabbard
Water, Land, and Agriculture (WLA)
Chair: Sen. Mike Gabbard
Vice Chair: Sen. Clarence K. Nishihara
Ways and Means (WAM)
Chair: Sen. Jill N. Tokuda
Vice Chair: Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz
