Derek S.K. Kawakami is a 3rd generation Kauai resident, who has a passion for serving the people of Kauai. As a devoted spouse and father, Kawakami understands the importance of family, honoring our past, and building the future for our community. Click here to read his full resume.
Kawakami served on the Kauai County Council from 2008-2011 before a gubernatorial appointment to the Hawaii State Legislature representing District 14 from 2011-2015. Councilmember Kawakami was again elected to the Kauai County Council in 2016.
Kawakami participates in and has been a member of many community organizations. He was a charter member of the Lihue Business Association and played a role in getting wrestling into high schools as a sanctioned Kauai Interscholastic Federation sport.
Kawakami’s family has a long history of public service, and he is the third Kawakami to occupy a seat in the State House representing the Garden Isle. He follows the legacy of the late-Speaker Richard A. Kawakami and Representative Bertha Kawakami.
In his free time, Kawakami enjoys spending time with his family, stand up paddle boarding, hiking and Jiujitsu.
Kawakami and his wife Monica, a Kapaa Middle School teacher, have two children. The family has a Cocker Spaniel named Kina and Spring Spaniel named Persephone. He is the son of the late Charles and Arlene Kawakami.
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EDUCATION | NCREA (National Rural Electric Association) Arlington, VA Credentialed Cooperative Director |
2006 |
Chaminade University, Honolulu, Hawaii Bachelors Degree –Business Administration |
1997-2001 | |
Kauai Community College, Lihue, Hawaii | 1996-1997 | |
Kauai High School, Lihue , Hawaii High School Diploma |
1991-1995 | |
GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE |
Kauai County Council Chair, Economic Development & Intergovernmental Relations Committee Vice Chair, Budget & Finance Committee Member of:
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2016-present | Hawaii State Legislature House of Representatives-14th district Chair, Economic Development & Business Member of:
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2011-2016 |
Vice Chair, Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection Member of:
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2011-2012 | |
Vice Chair, Committee on Commerce & Consumer Protection Member of:
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2013-2014 | |
Assistant Majority Leader | 2014 | |
Kauai County Council | ||
Chair, Intergovernmental Relations Committee Vice Chair, Committee of the Whole Member of:
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2010-2011 | |
Chair, Public Safety/energy/Intergovernmental Relations Committee Member of:
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2008-2010 | |
GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS | Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Member | 2011-Present |
Broadband Advisory Council, Member | 2011-Present | |
Hawaii Aerospace Caucus | 2011-Present | |
President, Hawaii State Association of Counties (HSAC) | 2014 | |
Board Member, National Association of Counties (NACo) | 2008-2011 | |
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS | Board Member, Kauai Economic Development Board (KEDB)
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2007-2014 |
Board Member, Kauai Police Activities League (KPAL) | 2007-2014 | |
Board Member, Lihue Business Association (LBA) | 2007-2009 | |
Second Vice Chair, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC)
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2006-2008 | |
Member, Kiwanis Club Member, Catholic Charities Advisory Committee |
2004-present | |
WORK EXPERIENCE | Operations Manager,Menehune Food Mart, Inc | 2004-2015 |
Operations Manager,Big Save , Inc | 2004-2011 | |
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2004-present |
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EDUCATION | NCREA (National Rural Electric Association) Arlington, VA Credentialed Cooperative Director |
2006 |
Chaminade University, Honolulu, Hawaii Bachelors Degree –Business Administration |
1997-2001 | |
Kauai Community College, Lihue, Hawaii | 1996-1997 | |
Kauai High School, Lihue , Hawaii High School Diploma |
1991-1995 | |
GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE | Hawaii State Legislature House of Representatives-14th district Chair, Economic Development & Business Member of:
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2015-Present |
Vice Chair, Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection Member of:
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2011-2012 | |
Vice Chair, Committee on Commerce & Consumer Protection Member of:
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2013-2014 | |
Assistant Majority Leader | 2014 | |
Kauai County Council | ||
Chair, Intergovernmental Relations Committee Vice Chair, Committee of the Whole Member of:
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2008-2011 | |
Chair, Public Safety/energy/Intergovernmental Relations Committee Member of:
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2008-2010 | |
GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS | Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Member | 2011-Present |
Broadband Advisory Council, Member | 2011-Present | |
Hawaii Aerospace Caucus | 2011-Present | |
President, Hawaii State Association of Counties (HSAC) | 2014 | |
Board Member, National Association of Counties (NACo) | 2008-2011 | |
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS | Board Member, Kauai Economic Development Board (KEDB)
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2007-2014 |
Board Member, Kauai Police Activities League (KPAL) | 2007-2014 | |
Board Member, Lihue Business Association (LBA) | 2007-2009 | |
Second Vice Chair, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC)
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2006-2008 | |
Member, Kiwanis Club Member, Catholic Charities Advisory Committee |
2004-present | |
WORK EXPERIENCE | Operations Manager,Menehune Food Mart, Inc | 2004-present |
Operations Manager,Big Save , Inc | 2004-2011 | |
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2004-present |