The Kaneohe Business Group had another great networking luncheon held September 26th at the Pohai Nani residences. Senators Jarrett Keohokalole and Lisa Kitagawa of State House District 48 gave valuable news and insights on the new project they have spearheaded in partnership with The Castle Foundation and the Hawaii State Legislature. Their aim is to battle the homelessness problem in the windward district. They laid out the issues and spoke to their goals of this 3-year project to help disenfranchised family members and homeless families in general in the Kailua and Kaneohe area. They highlighted the differences from this district to the similar issues faced on the more urban south island districts. Afterward, there was an informative Q&A session with the group.
We thank the senators for their attendance and the group members who were there to make this a very valuable luncheon.
Senator Jarrett Keohokalole is a proud seventh-generation resident of the 24th Senate District, including Kāne’ohe and Kailua. He is married to wife Kuulani and together, with three children. He is currently the Chair of the Committee on Technology (TEC) and serves as a member on the committees of Hawaiian Affairs (HWN), Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism (EET), Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health (CPH). He is the current Chair of the Native Hawaiian Affairs Caucus. In 2006, Sen. Keohokalole received a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He then obtained a law degree from William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii in 2013, earning a certificate in Native Hawaiian Law.
Representative Lisa Kitagawa graduated with her Master’s degree, she worked professionally at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa as both a faculty member in student affairs and as a student services specialist for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). As a faculty member, she taught leadership development courses, mentored students and coordinated UH’s New Student Programs, orienting over 2,000 students and parents/family members each year. She was also responsible for CTAHR’s academic advising, scholarships, recruitment, and co-curricular activities. All of these experiences at the University have provided her with opportunities to develop and strengthen her leadership skills, work effectively with diverse groups, and achieve tangible solutions to problems. She has had experience working at the State Legislature as the Office Manager to Representative Aaron Ling Johanson, who serves as the Chair of the Labor and Public Employment Committee. Lisa has first-hand experience in the legislative process, as well as working effectively with colleagues, organizations and constituents.
