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If you’re wondering who the president of Hawaii is, the quick answer is that Hawaii does not have a president. As the 50th state to join the United States of America, Hawaii’s head of state is actually the President of the United States.
However, Hawaii does have its own state government and elected officials who lead the state. In this comprehensive article, we’ll provide an overview of Hawaii’s leadership, from the Governor to the state legislature.
The Governor of Hawaii
As the chief executive of the Aloha State, the Governor of Hawaii holds considerable power and responsibility in overseeing state government operations, agencies, and policies. Let’s break down the role and duties of Hawaii’s highest office, as well as its current officeholder.
The Role and Responsibilities of the Governor
The Governor is responsible for enforcing laws, appointing department heads and members of boards/commissions, preparing the state’s budget, managing state resources and facilities, and overseeing various executive departments.
As the head of the executive branch, the Governor is empowered to approve or veto bills passed by the state legislature. They have the authority to mobilize the Hawaii National Guard in emergencies and command state defense forces.
The Governor can grant reprieves, commutations and pardons with limitations, call for special sessions of the legislature, and recommend legislation or action on various state matters.
Other key duties include:
- Overseeing the executive budget process and expenditures
- Directing and coordinating disaster response/recovery efforts
- Appointing judges and commission members
- Promoting trade, tourism, and business opportunities
With so much responsibility, Hawaii’s Governor must demonstrate strong leadership capabilities and managerial skills to steward the state effectively.
The Current Governor: David Ige
David Ige is the current and eighth Governor of Hawaii, assuming office in 2014 after defeating incumbent Governor Neil Abercrombie in the Democratic primary. Now 66 years old and a resident of Pearl City, he was formerly a state legislator serving in the Hawaii Senate.
As governor, Ige has focused his efforts on renewable energy initiatives and technological innovation. In June 2015, he signed ambitious legislation committing Hawaii to derive 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2045.
Under his leadership, the Aloha State became the first U.S. state to enact such a mandate. His administration has also invested in modernizing airports and telecommunication infrastructure across Hawaii’s islands.
While Ige’s response to the 2018 false missile alert crisis faced scrutiny initially, he took responsibility for the situation and implemented measures to prevent future errors. And when COVID-19 struck Hawaii, the governor responded swiftly by issuing stay-at-home orders and travel quarantines earlier than most other states.
His proactive approach likely saved many lives, with Hawaii boasting one of the lowest per capita death rates in the country as of late 2022.
Now in the last stretch of his second and final term, Governor David Ige’s tenure has seen both successes and stumbles navigating the unprecedented challenges facing Hawaii. Yet his administration’s ambitious sustainability goals and handling of the global pandemic represent meaningful progress for the state.
The Hawaii State Legislature
The Hawaii State Legislature is responsible for making laws, establishing a state budget, and providing oversight for state departments and agencies. It is a bicameral body composed of the State Senate and the State House of Representatives.
The State Senate
The State Senate has 25 members who serve four-year terms, with elections held concurrently with the federal midterm elections. Senators must be U.S. citizens, Hawaii residents for at least three years, and qualified voters in their districts.
The Senate majority leader is Dru Kanuha (D), while the minority leader is Kurt Fevella (R). Other key leadership positions include the vice president, majority caucus leader, minority caucus leader, and majority and minority floor leaders.
Some major responsibilities of the Hawaii State Senate include:
- Passing or rejecting bills from the House of Representatives
- Initiating and considering its own bills related to state laws, budget, etc.
- Confirming appointments made by the governor
- Conducting investigations through committees
In recent years, the Senate has passed progressive legislation related to affordable housing, environmental protection, LGBTQ+ rights, and more.
The State House of Representatives
The State House has 51 members serving two-year terms, with elections occurring concurrently with federal midterm elections. Representatives must be U.S. citizens, Hawaii residents for at least three years, and qualified voters in their districts.
The Speaker of the House is Scott Saiki (D), while the minority leader is Gene Ward (R). The House also has a vice speaker, majority leader, majority floor leader, and minority floor leader in leadership roles.
Major duties of the Hawaii House of Representatives include:
- Introducing and voting on bills related to state laws, budget, taxes, etc.
- Conducting special investigations through committees
- Proposing amendments to the state Constitution
- Impeaching state officials if necessary
In recent sessions, the House has passed bills supporting automatic voter registration, police reform, affordable housing, and other key issues.
Hawaii’s Members of U.S. Congress
U.S. Senators
Hawaii is represented in the United States Senate by two senators, just like every other state. The current senators from Hawaii are Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, both Democrats.
Senator Mazie Hirono was first elected to the Senate in 2012 after serving as the lieutenant governor of Hawaii. She is the first Asian-American woman and first Buddhist to be elected to the Senate. Senator Hirono is known for her advocacy for immigrant families and support of progressive policies.
Senator Brian Schatz was appointed to the Senate in 2012 after the death of Senator Daniel Inouye and later won election. Before becoming a senator, he served as lieutenant governor under Governor Neil Abercrombie.
Senator Schatz focuses heavily on policies related to climate change and expanding clean energy.
U.S. House Representatives
Hawaii has two representatives in the United States House of Representatives. They are:
- Ed Case (D) – serves Hawaii’s 1st congressional district, which covers urban Honolulu
- Kaiali’i Kahele (D) – serves Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district covering the rest of the state including the islands of Maui, Kauai, Molokai and the Big Island of Hawaii
Representative Ed Case was elected to Congress in 2018 after previously serving in the House from 2002-2007. He focuses on Hawaii’s environment, empowering indigenous people, immigration reform, LGBTQ rights and affordable healthcare.
Representative Kaiali’i Kahele is a newcomer to Congress, having been elected for the first time in 2020 after serving in the Hawaii State Senate. As a Native Hawaiian, he champions Hawaiian issues and equality, affordable living, and sustainability.
Conclusion
So in summary, while Hawaii does not have a president, it does have its own elected officials and political system that leads the state under the broader federal leadership of the U.S. As the 50th and newest state, Hawaii has a unique cultural identity and government that builds on its history as an independent nation prior to statehood.
