Legislative Members

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17
Portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village

Donovan M. Dela Cruz, is a state senator from District 17, which encompasses portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawa, and Whitmore Village. Senator Dela Cruz is Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. He also serves on boards or is a member of various organizations nationally and locally such as the National Council of Environmental Legislators and the Leeward Community College Culinary Institute Board just to name a few. Prior to becoming senator, he also served on the Honolulu City Council for eight years, serving as its Chair for three years, being the youngest chair in the history of the Council, at age 30. Senator Dela Cruz is a graduate of Leilehua High School and the University of Oregon where he earned a BA in Journalism and Communication Studies; Masters in Organization Leadership from Argosy University.

Experience

Educational Background
• Leilehua High School - Class of 1991
• University of Oregon: BA in Journalism, BA in Communications Studies, 1995
• Argosy University: Masters in Organization Leadership, 2015
• University of Hawaii - Manoa: Currently working on Doctorate Degree in Architecture

Government Service

Current:

Hawaii State Senate (2010 to Present):
• Chair, Committee on Ways and Means
• Member, Committee on Education

Other:
• Member, Transit Oriented Task Force
• Member, State Land Use Task Force
• Board Member, Hawaii Asia Pacific Association (HAPA) Young Leaders
• Member, National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO)
• Member, Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs (BHCC)
• Member, National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL)
• Member, National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Effectiveness Standing Committee (NCSL)
• Member, Urban Land Institute (ULI)
• Member, Clean and Safe Energy Coalition

Past:

Honolulu City Council (2003-2010):
• Chair, 2003-2007
• Chair, Committee on Executive Matters
• Chair, Committee on Public Safety & Services
• Chair, Committee on Public Health, Safety & Welfare
• Vice-Chair, Committee on Executive Matters
• Vice-Chair, Committee on Affordable Housing & Economic Development
• Vice-Chair, Committee on Transportation & Planning
• Vice-Chair, Committee on Public Infrastructure

Other:
• Co-Chair, Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs Annual Conference in Hawaii, 2013
• State Commission on National and Community Service - 2010
• Governor's Working Group on the Purchase of Turtle Bay - 2009
• Board of Directors, National Association of Counties (NACo) - 2003-2009
• NACo Annual Conference Advisory Committee - 2005
• Chair, NACo 2005 Annual Conference and Exposition Steering Committee
• Secretary, Hawaii State Association of Counties - 2003-2004
• Chair, Wahiawa Neighborhood Board, 2000-2002

Nominations/Invitations:

• American Council Professional Fellows Program to Armenia - 2018
• Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options (HCREO) - 2015
• National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Gettysburg Leadership Experience - 2015
• American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) Exchange Program to Australia - 2013
• American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Educational Seminar in Israel - 2013
• Young Elected Officials (YEO) 2013 National Convening, Washington, D. C.
• Council of State Governments (CSG), Western Legislative Academy for Legislators - 2012
• Emerging Leaders Program, University of Virginia - 2013
• Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs Leadership Workshop, Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education - 2013

Community Service:

• Member, Leilehua Alumni and Community Association
• Member, Hawaii Bicycling League
• Member, Advisory Council, Leeward Community College
• Member, Leeward Community College Culinary Institute Board
• Vice-President (2001-2002), Filipino Chamber of Commerce
• Member, Wahiawa Lions Club
• Member, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish

Honors and Awards:

• HawaiiKidsCAN 2018 Legislative Champion - 2018
• Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation Inaugural Champion of Agriculture Award - 2013
• Filipino Community Council of Hawaii Progress Award for Excellence in Government Service, 2007
• Pacific Century Fellow, 2004
• Pacific Business News Forty and Under 40 Award, 2001
• Public Relations Society of America Koa Anvil Award, 2001

Certifications:

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Incident Command System (ICS-402) - 2013

Prior Professions:

• Director of Marketing, Watermark Publishing
• Account Supervisor, Stryker Weiner & Yokota Public Relations
• Account Executive, McNeil Wilson Communications
• Public Relations Coordinator, Hilton Hawaiian Village
• Member, DTL Hawaii

Creator/Author:

• The Whitmore Project - a project to revitalize Central Oahu by re-establishing agricultural dominance in the area resulting in creation of jobs and promoting economic development.
• Publications: The Okazu Guide, The Puka Guide, The Omiyage Guide - books focusing on such cultural activities as exploring Japanese delicatessens; "hole-in-the-wall" places that locals like to frequent; and places to buy gifts for those who engage in the local tradition of buying gifts when they travel.

Show Archived

Friday, January 2, 2026

Celebrating the New Year Responsibly

https://mailchi.mp/3b4d27ffe0f7/celebrating-the-new-year-responsibly

NEWSLETTERS

PRESENTATIONS

Nourishing Hawaii’s Future: Presentation on Regional Kitchens at Eat Think Drink 27

Documents and Links

Master Infrastructure Map
State Owned TMKs
The Whitmore Project (UPDATED 10-17-2019)
Wahiawa Welcomes You
H-2 Freeway Mililani Interchange Traffic Study
2014 Legislative Highlights
2014 Capital Improvement Project Funds
2015 District 22 Capital Improvement Project Funding List
Live, Learn, Work, Play (UPDATED 10-10-2016)
Play Rugby USA Hawaii
Wastewater Reclaim & Pumped-Storage Hydro
Mililani Middle School Calendar Transition
First Responders Technology Campus and Cybersecurity Data Center (UPDATED 12-11-2017)
A Strategic Direction for Agriculture in Hawaii (UPDATED 10‑24‑2018)
CARES Act Relief Funds Presentation
SB126 SD1 HD1 CD1 State Budget Presentation
Wahiawa Civic Center
Wahiawa Value-Added Product Development Center (WVAPDC)
Lawmakers Agree On The Need To Address Hawaii's Housing Crisis — But Not On How (Civil Beat)
University of Hawai‘i Community Design Center First Responders Tech Campus

2025 Committee Member of

Ways and Means

2025 Allowance Report

Expenditure Report

Measures Introduced in 2025

Measure and Title
SB43 RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB325 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO THE GENERAL FUND.
SB326 SD1 HD1 CD1 RELATING TO REVOLVING FUNDS.
SB327 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO INTERNSHIPS.
SB328 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO TAXATION.
SB329 HD1 RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.
SB436 SD1 RELATING TO THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL.
SB437 RELATING TO THE EAST-WEST CENTER.
SB438 SD2 HD3 RELATING TO WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES.
SB439 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO FEES.
SB440 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB441 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO THE HAWAII SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
SB442 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.
SB443 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS.
SB444 RELATING TO STATE GOVERNMENT.
SB445 RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.
SB446 SD2 RELATING TO WASTE MANAGEMENT.
SB447 HD1 CD1 RELATING TO A DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PILOT PROGRAM.
SB448 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
SB449 RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT.
SB739 SD2 HD1 CD1 RELATING TO LAND EXCHANGE.
SB740 RELATING TO SPECIAL PERMITS.
SB741 RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
SB742 SD2 HD1 CD1 RELATING TO DATA SHARING.
SB743 RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.
SB744 SD1 RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.
SB745 RELATING TO ELECTRIC BICYCLES.
SB746 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.
SB747 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
SB789 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO SCHOOL CAFETERIA MEAL COSTS.
SB1099 HD1 RELATING TO IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS.
SB1100 SD2 HD2 RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.
SB1101 RELATING TO LAULAU DAY.
SB1102 SD2 HD2 CD1 RELATING TO THE AIRCRAFT RESCUE FIRE FIGHTING UNIT.
SB1103 RELATING TO COMMUNITY DISTRICTS.
SB1232 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.
SB1233 SD1 RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
SB1234 SD2 RELATING TO GOVERNMENTAL EFFICIENCY.
SB1235 SD1 RELATING TO HOUSING.
SB1236 RELATING TO THE WORKS OF ART SPECIAL FUND.
SB1535 RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.
SB1536 SD2 HD2 CD1 RELATING TO THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY.
SB1542 RELATING TO AGE VERIFICATION FOR APP DEVELOPERS AND APP STORES ACT.
SB1544 RELATING TO WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN SCHOOLS.
SB1585 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
SB1586 RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
SB1618 RELATING TO JOURNALISM.
SB1669 SD2 HD3 RELATING TO TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.
SCR134 URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE A DETAILED REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON THE TRUE COST OF PRODUCING SCHOOL MEALS TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND AVOID UNNECESSARY PRICE INCREASES.
SCR135 SD1 URGING ALL STATE DEPARTMENTS TO PARTNER WITH THE OFFICE OF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE FOR SECURE AND APPROPRIATE DATA SHARING AGREEMENTS.
SCR136 SD1 HD2 REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO CONVENE A NUCLEAR ENERGY WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF USING ADVANCED NUCLEAR POWER TECHNOLOGIES IN THE STATE.
SCR137 REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII FOUNDATION.
SCR138 SD1 HD1 REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC STRATEGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
SCR139 HD1 REQUESTING THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO DESIGNATE KUNIA, LEILEHUA PLATEAU, AND POAMOHO AS THE CENTRAL OAHU AGRICULTURAL CORRIDOR AND TO ESTABLISH A LIST PRIORITIZING POTENTIAL AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT WOULD PROVIDE THE MOST VALUE TO THE STATE.
SCR140 APPLYING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO CALL AN ARTICLE V CONVENTION TO PROPOSE CERTAIN LIMITED AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.
SCR141 SD1 URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REGARDING GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
SCR142 SD1 HD1 REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT'S USE AND MANAGEMENT OF ITS FUNDS.
SCR143 SD1 URGING ALL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO CONDUCT ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS OF THEIR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OR PERSONS HOLDING EQUIVALENT POSITIONS EXEMPT FROM CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
SCR192 HD1 REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SYSTEM TO ESTABLISH A VETERINARY MEDICINE EXPANSION WORKING GROUP TO EXPLORE THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING A DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE PROGRAM.
SCR193 SD1 HD1 REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS AND OTHER INNOVATIVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS THAT DIRECTLY ALIGN WITH JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND INDUSTRY NEEDS WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE REGION OF SERVICE.
SCR194 SD1 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ENCOURAGE REDUCTIONS IN THE USE OF DISPOSABLE SURGICAL EQUIPMENT AND ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOLLOWING EXAMPLES SET BY CALIFORNIA AND JAPAN.
SR113 URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE A DETAILED REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON THE TRUE COST OF PRODUCING SCHOOL MEALS TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND AVOID UNNECESSARY PRICE INCREASES.
SR114 SD1 URGING ALL STATE DEPARTMENTS TO PARTNER WITH THE OFFICE OF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE FOR SECURE AND APPROPRIATE DATA SHARING AGREEMENTS.
SR115 SD1 REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO CONVENE A GEOTHERMAL ENERGY WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE THE REGULATORY AND POLICY LANDSCAPE SURROUNDING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY IN HAWAII.
SR154 REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII FOUNDATION.
SR155 SD1 REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC STRATEGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
SR156 SD1 URGING ALL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO CONDUCT ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS OF THEIR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OR PERSONS HOLDING EQUIVALENT POSITIONS EXEMPT FROM CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
SR157 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO DESIGNATE KUNIA, LEILEHUA PLATEAU, AND POAMOHO AS THE CENTRAL OAHU AGRICULTURAL CORRIDOR AND TO ESTABLISH A LIST PRIORITIZING POTENTIAL AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT WOULD PROVIDE THE MOST VALUE TO THE STATE.
SR158 APPLYING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO CALL AN ARTICLE V CONVENTION TO PROPOSE CERTAIN LIMITED AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.
SR159 SD1 URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REGARDING GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
SR160 SD1 REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT'S USE AND MANAGEMENT OF ITS FUNDS.
SR172 REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SYSTEM TO ESTABLISH A VETERINARY MEDICINE EXPANSION WORKING GROUP TO EXPLORE THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING A DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE PROGRAM AT WINDWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
SR173 SD1 REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS AND OTHER INNOVATIVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS THAT DIRECTLY ALIGN WITH JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND INDUSTRY NEEDS WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE REGION OF SERVICE.
SR174 SD1 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ENCOURAGE REDUCTIONS IN THE USE OF DISPOSABLE SURGICAL EQUIPMENT AND ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOLLOWING EXAMPLES SET BY CALIFORNIA AND JAPAN.

Hawai'i State Legislature

Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz (D)

Celebrating the New Year Responsibly