Nakamura chairs House Housing Committee

HONOLULU — Two of Kaua‘i’s state representatives will hold influential leadership roles in the upcoming 2021 legislative session, with Rep. Dee Morikawa continuing as the majority floor leader and Rep. Nadine K. Nakamura elevated to chair of the Committee on Housing.

Both of these veteran lawmakers have demonstrated strong leadership skills and are well prepared to help the House guide the state through the coronavirus pandemic and to revive Hawai‘i’s struggling economy, state House leadership said in a press release.

Morikawa represents Ni‘ihau, Koloa and Waimea, and has held the position of majority floor leader since May 2017, and is responsible for tracking votes and moving bills and business forward during House floor sessions.

“What an honor to serve as majority floor leader as part of Speaker Scott Saiki’s leadership team,” said Morikawa. “There will be very-critical issues we will need to address, and I am confident that the House of Representatives will do their very best to enact and implement good policy.”

Morikawa also praised the work of her Kaua‘i colleague.

“Chairing the Housing Committee for Rep. Nakamura will be a challenge that she is very capable of managing. Her expertise and diligence are assets to the state in crafting solutions for our housing problems,” Morikawa said.

Nakamura represents Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea, Anahola, Kapa‘a and Wailua, and her new role is seen as critical during the current economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“I am honored to be a committee chair this year,” Nakamura said. “I look forward to this new challenge. I’m hoping to focus both on immediate pandemic-related housing needs as well as the need to build more affordable housing.”