Maui Senators identified for committee chair and vice chair assignments ahead of the 34th Legislature

The Hawaiʻi State Senate announced its new leadership and committee assignments for the upcoming legislative session convening Jan. 20, 2027, with Maui Senators Troy N. Hashimoto, Angus L.K. McKelvey, and Lynn DeCoite selected to chair the Commerce and Consumer Protection, Transportation, and Economic Development and Tourism committees, respectively.

The news comes as the Hawaiʻi State Senate announced its leadership and committee assignments for the upcoming legislative session which convenes on Jan. 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