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Friday, November 6, 2026

House, Senate Announce Leadership, Committee Assignments

By News Release @ 7:00 PM :: 1426 Views :: Hawaii State Government
 

STATE HOUSE ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR 34TH LEGISLATURE

News Release from Hawai'i House Democrats, Nov 6, 2026

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – House Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura today announced the House Leadership team for the 34th Legislature, comprising members with diverse perspectives, experiences, and representation from across the state.

“Our leadership team reflects the diversity of our Majority Caucus, bringing together working families, unique perspectives, and voices from across the islands to ensure we represent the needs of communities throughout Hawaiʻi,” said Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura. “We look forward to building on our work and continuing to address the needs of Hawaiʻi’s families, including tackling the high cost of living, expanding access to affordable housing, and protecting our ʻāina.”

House Leadership Team

  • Speaker: Nadine K. Nakamura 
  • Vice Speaker: Linda Ichiyama
  • Majority Leader: Sean Quinlan
  • Majority Caucus Leader: Kirstin Kahaloa
  • Majority Floor Leader: Dee Morikawa

Speaker Nakamura made history on November 6, 2024, when she became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives and the first Asian American woman to serve as a state House Speaker in the United States.

Additional Leadership Team Members

  • Assistant Majority Floor Leader: Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee Loy
  • Majority Whip: Lisa Kitagawa
  • Majority Whip: Tina Nakada Grandinetti
  • Majority Whip: Tyson K. Miyake

The Legislature will convene the 2027 Regular Session on January 20, 2027.

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HAWAIʻI STATE SENATE ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP AND COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE 34TH LEGISLATURE

News Release from Senate Democratic Caucus, Nov 5, 2026

HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI - The Hawaiʻi State Senate today announced its leadership and committee assignments for the upcoming legislative session which convenes on January 20, 2027.  

The Senate caucus met yesterday with its newly elected members to select leadership, finalize the structure of its standing committees, and determine committee leadership assignments.  The Senate will have 13 standing committees for the upcoming session, down from 15 during the previous Legislature. The Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committees have been combined, as have the Commerce and Consumer Protection and Government Operations committees.

Additionally, the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs has been renamed the Committee on Public Safety, Resiliency, and Military Affairs, reflecting our increased focus on disaster preparedness, response, recovery and future challenges facing the state.

The Senate leadership and standing committee chairs and vice chairs are as follows:

Leadership:

Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi

Vice President  Lorraine R. Inouye

Majority Leader  Dru Mamo Kanuha

Majority Floor Leader  Rachele Lamosao

Assistant Majority Floor Leader  Danielle M.M. Bass

Majority Whip  Mike Gabbard

Assistant Majority Whip  Tricia Nakamatsu

Assistant Majority Whip  Jackson Sayama

Committee Assignments:  

Agriculture (AGT)

Chair: Herbert M. “Tim” Richards III

Vice Chair: Mike Gabbard

Commerce and Consumer Protection (CPN)

Chair: Troy N. Hashimoto

Vice Chair: Carol Fukunaga

Economic Development and Tourism (EDT)

Chair: Lynn DeCoite

Vice Chair: Glenn Wakai

Education (EDU)

Chair: Donna Mercado Kim

Vice Chair: Mike Gabbard

Energy and Inter-Governmental Affairs (EIG)

Chair: Glenn Wakai

Vice Chair: Stanley Chang

Health and Human Services (HHS)

Chair: Joy San Buenaventura

Vice Chair: Jackson Sayama

Housing (HOU)

Chair: Stanley Chang

Vice Chair: Troy N. Hashimoto

Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHW)

Chair: Jarrett Keohokalole

Vice Chair: Joy San Buenaventura

Labor and Technology (LBT)

Chair: Brandon J.C. Elefante

Vice Chair: Rachele Lamosao

Public Safety, Resiliency, and Military Affairs (PRM)

Chair: Carol Fukunaga

Vice Chair: Danielle M.M. Bass

Transportation (TRS)

Chair: Angus L.K. McKelvey

Vice Chair: Lorraine R. Inouye

Water, Land, Culture and Arts (WLA)

Chair: Chris Lee

Vice Chair: Lorraine R. Inouye

Ways and Means (WAM)

Chair: Donovan M. Dela Cruz

Vice Chair: Sharon Moriwaki

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ABOUT THE HAWAIʻI STATE SENATE MAJORITY

The Hawaiʻi State Senate consists of 25 members who serve staggered four-year terms. The Senate Majority consists of 22 Democrats for the 34th Legislature convenes January 20, 2027. For the latest news and updates, follow the Senate Majority on Facebook,  and Instagram, or Hawaiisenatemajority.com.

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