Representative Joe Gedeon was selected to complete the remainder of the late Representative Gene Ward’s term in the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives, continuing the legacy of service and advocacy that defined Rep. Ward’s tenure. Rep. Gedeon recognizes the deep impact that Gene Ward had on East Honolulu and is committed to carrying forward that tradition of strong representation, hard work, and delivering results for the community.
A lifelong resident of Hawaiʻi Kai, Rep. Gedeon was born and raised in the community he now serves. He grew up in Queens Gate, Village Green, and Hahaione Valley and attended Kamiloiki Elementary School and Niu Valley Intermediate before graduating from Kaiser High School in 1997.
His ties to the community began early—his first job as a high school student was at the Koko Marina Blockbuster Video— and as an Eagle Scout he helped restore the Koko Crater Botanical Garden following Hurricane Iniki. Today, eleven members of his immediate family still call Hawaiʻi Kai home, reflecting his deep and enduring roots in the community.
In the private sector, Rep. Gedeon is the Co-Founder, Partner, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing at JPG Hawaii, one of the state’s leading large-format printing and signage companies. His business experience has provided him with firsthand insight into Hawaiʻi’s economic landscape, workforce development, and the challenges facing local businesses.
Rep. Gedeon has also been actively involved in numerous civic and professional organizations. He previously served as President of the Rotary Club of Waikiki and currently serves on the boards of the American Advertising Federation of Hawaiʻi and the Central YMCA of Honolulu. He is also involved with the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association, the Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association, and the Hawaiʻi Restaurant Association. He is deeply committed to his family, church, community service, and civic engagement.
In his personal life, Rep. Gedeon has always felt most at home by the ocean, where he spends most of his free time enjoying the simple things he's loved for years. You can often find him spearfishing at China Walls or Allen Davis, or bodyboarding at Sandy Beach- places that have shaped his appreciation for Hawaii's natural beauty and our local lifestyle. For Rep. Gedeon, time in the water isn't just a pastime- it's a reminder of the values he carries with him: hard work, respect for nature, and a strong connection to the community he serves.