Maui Senators earn leadership positions and committee assignments

The Hawaiʻi State Senate on Wednesday announced its new leadership and committee chairs and vice-chairs ahead of the 32nd Legislature. 

Maui senators secured several key assignments. Senator Lynn DeCoite was named Majority Assistant Floor Leader, and Chair of the Energy, Economic Development and Tourism committee; Senator Gil Keith-Agaran was named Majority Assistant Whip, and Vice-Chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee; and Senator Angus McKelvey secured the chairmanship of the Government Operations Committee. 

The upcoming session will be led by Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi of Kauaʻi and Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani of Oʻahu.

“As we look to build on last year’s historic session, I am confident that our new leadership team and committee chairs will help us in our efforts to keep this momentum heading into 2023,” said Senate President Kouchi in a press release announcement.

The legislative session  opens on Jan. 18, 2023.

Leadership and chairs of the 15 standing committees are: 

Leadership: 

President: Senator Ronald D. Kouchi 
Vice President: Senator Michelle N. Kidani 
Majority/Caucus Leader: Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha 
Majority Floor Leader: Senator Glenn Wakai 
Majority Assistant Floor Leader: Senator Lynn DeCoite 
Majority Policy Leader: Senator Les Ihara 
Majority Whip: Senator Lorraine Inouye 
Majority Assistant Whip: Senator Gil Keith-Agaran 
Majority Assistant Whip: Senator Chris Lee 
Majority Assistant Whip: Senator Tim Richards 

Committee Chairs: 

• Agriculture and Environment (AEN) 
  • Chair: Senator Mike Gabbard 
  • Vice Chair: Senator Tim Richards 
• Commerce, Consumer Protection (CPN) 
  • Chair: Senator Jarrett Keohokalole 
  • Vice Chair: Senator Carol Fukunaga 
• Education Chair (EDU) 
  • Chair: Senator Michelle Kidani 
  • Vice Chair: Senator Donna Mercado Kim 
• Energy, Economic Development and Tourism (EET) 
  • Chair: Senator Lynn DeCoite 
  • Vice Chair: Senator Glenn Wakai 
• Government Operations (GVO) 
  • Chair: Senator Angus McKelvey 
  • Vice Chair: Senator Mike Gabbard 
• Hawaiian Affairs (HWN) 
  • Chair: Senator Maile Shimabukuro 
  • Vice Chair: Senator Kurt Fevella 
• Health and Human Services (HHS) 
  • Chair: Senator Joy San Buenaventura 
  • Vice Chair: Senator Henry Aquino 
• Higher Education (HRE) 
  • Chair: Senator Donna Mercado Kim 
  • Vice Chair: Senator Michelle Kidani 
• Housing (HOU) 
  • Chair: Senator Stanley Chang 
  • Vice Chair: Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha 
• Judiciary (JDC) 
  • Chair: Senator Karl Rhoads 
  • Vice Chair: Senator Mike Gabbard 
• Labor and Technology (LBT) 
  • Chair: Senator Sharon Moriwaki 
  • Vice Chair: Senator Chris Lee 
• Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs (PSM) 
  • Chair: Senator Glenn Wakai 
  • Vice Chair: Senator Brandon Elefante 
• Transportation and Culture & Arts (TCA) 
  • Chair: Senator Chris Lee 
  • Vice Chair: Senator Lorraine Inouye 
• Water and Land (WTL) 
  • Chair: Senator Lorraine Inouye 
  • Vice Chair: Senator Brandon Elefante 
• Ways and Means (WAM) 
  • Chair: Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz 
  • Vice Chair: Senator Gilbert Keith-Agaran 

Note: Committee assignments are based on the current election results and may be subject to change.