House of Representatives

Personal

Married to Jennifer Higa; two sons, Daniel (5) and Gavan (1)

Education

St. Louis High School
University of Hawaii, BA in Psychology 1992
University of Hawaii, Masters of Social Work 1996
University of Hawaii, Masters of Business Administration 2002

Political Office

Elected in November, 2004
Assistant Majority Floor Leader, 2004-2006
Majority Whip, 2006-2008
Chair of the House Tourism and Culture Committee, 2006-2008
Chair of the House Committee on Health, 2008-present

Member of the Following Committees:

Education
Higher Education
Hawaiian Affairs
Human Services

Professional

• Social Worker, Queen's Medical Center
• Instructor in Business Education, Hawaii Pacific University, teaching undergraduate business students the relativity of business within society, the social and political impacts of business practices (2008)
• Clinical Director, of Ho'okupono Program, providing adolescent day treatment programs (1998- 2006)
• Social Worker, Mental Health Specialist, and Care Coordinator for the State of Hawaii, Child and Family Service, Queen's Medical Center-Family Treatment Center and Hale Kipa Inc., providing various clinical services, educational and supportive counseling, and crisis intervention to individuals and families. (1991-1998)

Community Service

American Red Cross Volunteer
FEMA/Civil Defense Community Emergency Response Team Volunteer
Honolulu Police Department Volunteer
Medical Reserve Corp Volunteer
Citizen's Police Academy
Business Police Academy
Neighborhood Board Member, Waipahu District 22, 1999-2004
Pacific Century Fellows, class of 2006
Flemming Fellows, class of 2006
Leeward Lion's Club member
Leeward YMCA Board of Managers Member
Mililani Toastmasters Club Member

Elected to the House: 2004 - Present

Member of the Democratic party.

Member of the following committees:

HLT - Health (Chair)
EDN - Education
HAW - Hawaiian Affairs
HED - Higher Education
HUS - Human Services
FSG - Interim Task Force on Smart Growth