LIHUE — Nadine Nakamura was on Oahu this week for a House of Representatives caucus meeting that named the committee chairs and vice chairs for 2017. The 54-year-old Kapaa resident, who won the District 14 seat in the general election
LIHUE — Nadine Nakamura was on Oahu this week for a House of Representatives caucus meeting that named the committee chairs and vice chairs for 2017.
The 54-year-old Kapaa resident, who won the District 14 seat in the general election earlier this month, will be serving as the vice chair of the Housing Committee for the House of Representatives. She was also named to the finance and transportation committees.
“There’s a shortage of affordable and low-income housing all around,” she said. “We have to strategically look at ways to move the needle. This gives me a chance to have an impact and make a difference.”
Nakamura, who will be splitting her time between Kauai and Oahu, is also on the finance and transportation committees.
“I’m really excited about all of the assignments,” said the county’s former managing director. “All of these items have an impact on District 14.”
District 16 representative, Dee Morikawa, was named assistant majority leader for the House of Representatives. She was also named chair of the human services committee and will serve on the health and judiciary committees.
“We need to make sure that we can sustainably and efficiently continue these services, and I will do all I can to help the department succeed,” she said.
The state needs to be ready for possible changes that could happen under President-elect Donald Trump, she added.
Jimmy Tokioka, District 15 representative, was named vice-chair of the tourism and veterans, military, and international affairs and culture and the arts committees and named to the finance and intrastate commerce committees.
