LIHUE – Rep. James Kunane Tokioka is filing to run for a fifth term representing Kauai’s 15th District in the House of Representatives. Tokioka, D-Wailua Homesteads, Hanamaulu, Lihue, Puhi, Omao and Old Koloa Town, has served in elected office for 18
LIHUE – Rep. James Kunane Tokioka is filing to run for a fifth term representing Kauai’s 15th District in the House of Representatives.
Tokioka, D-Wailua Homesteads, Hanamaulu, Lihue, Puhi, Omao and Old Koloa Town, has served in elected office for 18 years, 10 of which were on the Kauai County Council.
He ran for the House seat eight years ago after lawmaker and Tokioka’s mentor, Rep. Ezra Kanoho, retired.
“Honestly, I just love it. When you come from a small island like Kauai, you know all your neighbors,” Tokioka said in a press release on what he enjoys about serving in the Legislature and why he is seeking another term. “You know the people you see when you are at the supermarket, and those are the people we get to help on a daily basis in the Legislature.
“When you are given an opportunity to serve your community and help those who need it the most, it is tremendous honor and responsibility, and one that I do not take lightly,” he added.
Since first taking office in 1996, Tokioka has spearheaded many issues, including implementing the smoking ban in Kauai restaurants. He continues to work with the Hawaii Department of Transportation to help mitigate traffic in the Wailua corridor. Tokioka has also secured over $14 million in funding for the renovation and repair of the Kauai High School gym, $250,000 for an automotive paint booth at Kauai High School and millions of dollars in highway improvement and repair projects in the Lihue area. These projects include the Lihue Plantation Bridge revitalization project and the four-lane expansion of Kaumualii Highway fronting the Kukui Grove Shopping Center.
He issued his press release Tuesday but he said will file his nomination papers today.
Filing his nomination papers today isn’t a coincidence, he said. Tokioka chose the day because it is the first time he will be running for public office without his father’s signature on his nomination papers. Today marks the anniversary of his father’s passing, Thomas Tokioka.
“My father had a big influence in my political life and how to handle controversial issues with respect for others and to always be sure that you can look back and say, ‘I did what was in the best interest of District 15 and for Kauai.’” said Tokioka.
While this will be the first time that Tokioka’s father’s signature will not be on his nomination papers, it will be the first time his son’s, “Pono” Tokioka, will be. Pono, a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, turned 18 this year and will be voting for the first time in the election.
“This election year will be a memorable one for our family,” Tokioka said. “Although it’s hard not seeing my dad’s name on my papers, seeing my son’s name is a feeling like no other.”
