Senate leadership announced for upcoming 33rd Hawai‘i Legislative Biennium

Written By Melanie June

November 7, 2024 · 1:00 AM HST

Hawai‘i Senate President Ronald Kouchi on Wednesday, following Tuesday’s general election, announced the leadership and committee chairpersons for the upcoming 2025-26 Legislative Biennium.

Among those who will serve in leadership roles during the next two sessions at the state Capitol in Honolulu are several Big Island lawmakers.

  • Kanuha

  • Inouye

Sen. Dru Kanuha of Kona, who represents District 3 (Kona, Ka‘ū, Volcano), will again serve as majority leader.

Sen. Lorraine Inouye of Hilo, who represents District 1 (Hilo, Pauka‘a, Pāpaʻikou, Pepe‘ekeo), will reprise her role as majority whip.

Sen. Tim Richards of Waimea, who represents District 4 (North Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikōloa, North Kona), will again be an assistant majority whip.

Other state Senate leadership will include:

  • President: Sen. Ronald Kouchi of Kaua‘i.

  • Vice president: Sen. Michelle Kidani of O‘ahu.

  • Majority floor leader: Sen. Glenn Wakai of O‘ahu.

  • Assistant majority floor leader: Sen. Lynn DeCoite.

  • Majority policy leader: Sen. Les Ihara Jr. of O‘ahu.

  • Assistant majority whip: Sen. Henry J.C. Aquino of O‘ahu.

  • Assistant majority whip: Sen. Troy Hashimoto of Maui.

  • Assistant majority whip: Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole of O‘ahu.

  • Assistant majority whip: Sen. Chris Lee of O‘ahu.

Richards will be the new chairman for the state Senate Hawaiian Affairs Committee.

Sen. Joy San Buenaventura, who represents District 2 (Puna) in Honolulu, will again lead the Senate Health and Human Services Committee during the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions.

San Buenaventura

Inouye will also again be chairwoman of the Senate Water and Land Committee.

Other committee chairmanships announced Wednesday for 2025 and 2026 were:

  • Agriculture and Environment: Sen. Mike Gabbard of O‘ahu.

  • Commerce and Consumer Protection: Keohokalole.

  • Education: Kidani.

  • Economic Development and Tourism: DeCoite.

  • Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs: Wakai.

  • Government Operations: Sen. Angus L.K. McKelvey of Maui.

  • Higher Education: Sen. Donna Mercado Kim of O‘ahu.

  • Housing: Sen. Stanley Chang of O‘ahu.

  • Judiciary: Sen. Karl Rhoads of O‘ahu.

  • Labor and Technology: Aquino.

  • Public and Safety and Military Affairs: Sen. Brandon J.C. Elefante of O‘ahu.

  • Transportation and Culture and Arts: Lee.

  • Ways and Means: Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz of O‘ahu.

The 2025 legislative session will begin in mid-January.

Melanie June
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Senators from Maui earn leadership and committee assignments ahead of 33rd Legislature