Sen. Ronald D. Kouchi, D-Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau, was selected to be the Senate Vice President Friday morning.
He will serve under new Senate President Donna Mercado Kim, D-14, who was the former Senate Vice President when the 27th Hawai‘i State Legislature convenes on Jan. 16, 2013, states a release from the state Senate.
Kim was selected as President of the Senate following the appointment of former Senate President Shan Tsutsui, D-5, to the lt. governor’s position after Brian Shatz was appointed to take the late Sen. Daniel Inouye’s seat in the U.S. Senate.
Tsutsui took the Oath of Office as lt. governor Thursday, and the Senate acted to organize following Tsutsui’s move.
Sen. David Ige, D-16, will continue as chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means with Senator Michelle Kidani, D-18, serving as Ige’s vice chair.
The senate line up remains mostly intact to allow members continuity in their respective committee work while the Senate prepares for the upcoming Legislative session.
“We are solidified in dealing with the pressing issues facing our Senate,” Kim said in the release. “The Senate continues to be organized in a cooperative and focused manner. I am humbled to receive the confidence and support of my colleagues.”
Following Kouchi as Senate Vice President, Brickwood Galuteria will serve as Majority Leader with Sen. Kidani as the Assistant Majority Leader.
“We reached an agreement quickly so that we can continue to focus our attention on the issues and begin preparations for the 2013 session,” Kouchi said.
Following the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Will Espero will be the Majority Floor Leader, Les Ihara Jr. will be the Majority Policy Leader, Gil Kahele will be the Majority Whip along with Jill Tokuda.
Clayton Hee will be chair of the Judiciary and Labor, Roz Baker will be chair of Commerce and Consumer Protection, Clarence Nishihara will chair the Agriculture committee, Glenn Wakai will chair the Technology and The Arts, Donovan Dela Cruz will be the chair for Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing.
Mike Gabbard will chair the Energy and Environment, Jill Tokuda will Chair the Education, Galuteria is chair of Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs, Josh Green, M.D. is chair of Health, Brian Taniguchi chairs Higher Education, Suzanne Chun Oakland chairs Human Services, Espero will chair Public Safety and Military Affairs, J. Kalani English will chair Transportation and International Affairs, and Malama Solomon serves as chair for Water and Land committee.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
