Legislative Members

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23
Kāne‘ohe, Kahalu‘u thru Lā‘ie, Kahuku to Mokulē‘ia, Schofield Barracks, Kunia Camp

Brenton Awa is a leader, blessed to have been given the opportunity to work for the people of District 23 in the State Senate (Kāne‘ohe, Kahalu‘u through Lā‘ie, Kahuku through Mokulē‘ia, Schofield Barracks, Kunia Camp).

Born in Ka‘a‘awa, raised in Kahalu‘u, and a graduate of Kahuku High School, Awa is committed to putting the needs of local people over politics, while representing them with the values embraced in the country.

Awa is currently the youngest elected State Senator at age 36. The Senator’s top priority is to make sure locals can afford to continue living in Hawaii, while also helping those who’ve been forced to leave, return.

Awa has deep roots in Ko‘olauloa and Ko‘olaupoko. The father of three currently lives in Kahalu‘u.

Prior to being elected in November of 2022, Awa had spent nearly a decade working as a TV News Anchor and Reporter for local ABC affiliate KITV4 Island News. Awa started his broadcast career in 2009 as the last intern for then KGMB9 News prior to being one of the first new hires at Hawaii News Now following the KGMB/KHNL/KFVE merger.

Awa also worked for the Department of Education as a substitute teacher within the Windward District and helped students at Kahuku High School create a weekly news broadcast, while also restoring the school’s agricultural farm. Awa, a former D1 collegiate wrestler, returned to Kahuku High School in 2008 and led the Junior Varsity Wrestling team to an undefeated season and an OIA title in his only stint as head coach.

EDUCATION:
• St. Ann’s Pre-K
• Kapunahala Elementary School
• King Intermediate School
• Kahuku High School – Class of 2004
• Clarion University of Pennsylvania – B.S. Speech Communication, Leadership

HAWAII STATE SENATE:
2023 Committee Member of:
• Agriculture and Environment
• Commerce and Consumer Protection
• Government Operations
• Health and Human Services
• Housing, Judiciary
• Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs
• Transportation and Culture and the Arts.

KITV4 ISLAND NEWS (ABC):
• Journalist, former evening News Anchor, Reporter, Producer

HAWAII NEWS NOW:
• Former Video-journalist, Editor, Associate Producer

SPECTRUM, OC16:
• Sports Commentator, High School Athletics

HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:
• Former Substitute Teacher (Primary – Kahuku High & Intermediate School)
• Former Head Coach, Kahuku Junior Varsity Wrestling

DISASTER RECOVERY:
• Former Project Manager, large scale disaster recovery projects across the U.S.

Show Archived News

Friday, February 27, 2026

Lawmakers seek own investigations into $35K paper bag case (Hawaii News Now)

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2026/01/29/lawmakers-seek-own-investigations-into-35k-paper-bag-case/

Friday, February 27, 2026

‘Cut out the bull’: developer and GOP demand affordable housing (Hawaii News Now)

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2026/01/16/cut-out-bull-developer-gop-demand-affordable-housing/

Friday, February 27, 2026

Hawaii Republicans have plans this session to attack state’s housing crisis (KHON2)

https://www.khon2.com/local-news/hawaii-republicans-have-plans-this-session-to-attack-states-housing-crisis/

Measures with Senator Awa as the First Primary Introducer

2024 Committee Member of

2024 Allowance Report

Expenditure Report

Measures Introduced in 2024

Measure and Title
SB2 PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION TO REQUIRE THE ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
SB12 PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE III, SECTION 4, OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO LIMIT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF YEARS THAT ANY PERSON MAY SERVE AS A STATE LEGISLATOR.
SB34 SD1 RELATING TO TAXATION.
SB96 RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.
SB111 RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.
SB286 RELATING TO WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.
SB288 RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF THE PACIFIC.
SB304 SD2 HD3 RELATING TO VISITOR IMPACT FEES.
SB375 SD1 RELATING TO CANNABIS.
SB388 HD1 RELATING TO WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES.
SB430 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO THE HAWAII FARM TO FOOD BANK PROGRAM.
SB452 RELATING TO POLICE.
SB508 SD1 RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
SB513 SD1 RELATING TO FISHPONDS.
SB517 SD1 RELATING TO MOTORCYCLES.
SB520 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
SB521 SD2 RELATING TO MILITARY LAND USE.
SB664 RELATING TO GIFTS.
SB665 RELATING TO OPIOID ANTAGONISTS.
SB666 RELATING TO TREES.
SB702 RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB730 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO FISHPONDS.
SB733 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO HAWAIIAN CULTURE.
SB734 SD1 RELATING TO BURIAL SITES.
SB735 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO THE DISPOSITION OF WATER RIGHTS.
SB738 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.
SB747 RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.
SB782 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO TARO.
SB783 RELATING TO EDUCATION FUNDING.
SB786 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.
SB790 RELATING TO PROTECTION OF STREAMS.
SB792 SD1 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
SB794 RELATING TO THE CESSPOOL CONVERSION FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM.
SB823 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION.
SB850 RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB1188 RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.
SB1192 RELATING TO SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS.
SB1193 RELATING TO ALBIZIA.
SB1194 RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB1195 SD1 RELATING TO WAIAHOLE VALLEY.
SB1217 PROPOSING TO AMEND ARTICLE V OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO RAISE THE STATE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
SB1251 RELATING TO SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS.
SB1259 RELATING TO SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INCENTIVES.
SB1415 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
SB1428 RELATING TO PARENTAL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION.
SB1429 RELATING TO SEX-SPECIFIC STUDENT ATHLETIC TEAMS.
SB1430 RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.
SB1431 RELATING TO FENTANYL.
SB1432 RELATING TO SOCIAL MEDIA CENSORSHIP.
SB1450 RELATING TO PUBLIC CONTRACTS.
SB1486 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO MEAT PROCESSING.
SB1495 SD1 RELATING TO THE MOTION PICTURE, DIGITAL MEDIA, AND FILM PRODUCTION INCOME TAX CREDIT.
SB1524 RELATING TO PESTICIDES.
SB1536 RELATING TO TORT LIABILITY.
SB1544 RELATING TO FRAUD.
SB1553 RELATING TO THE COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE PROGRAM.
SB1555 RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.
SB2359 RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.
SB2567 RELATING TO DEMENTIA.
SB2616 RELATING TO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS.
SB2617 SD1 RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY.
SB2618 RELATING TO HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.
SB2619 RELATING TO THE MEDICAL USE OF CANNABIS.
SB2620 RELATING TO WATER CONSERVATION.
SB2621 RELATING TO ENDANGERED SPECIES.
SB2622 RELATING TO TOBACCO PRODUCTS.
SB2623 RELATING TO LEGISLATORS.
SB2624 RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS.
SB2625 RELATING TO OPPORTUNITY ZONES.
SB2626 RELATING TO HOUSING.
SB2929 RELATING TO THE USE OF INTOXICANTS WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE.
SB2999 RELATING TO HAWAII EMERGENCY HOME SALES MORATORIUM.
SB3249 RELATING TO CURRENCY.
SB3250 PROPOSING TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO MAKE INCUMBENT LEGISLATORS TEMPORARILY INELIGIBLE FOR SERVICE BASED ON THE SIZE OF THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN POPULATION.
SB3335 SD2 HD2 RELATING TO CANNABIS.
SCR42 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LATER SCHOOL START TIMES.
SCR111 DESIGNATING THE KOʻOLAU KUPUNA COUNCIL AS AN ADVISORY RESOURCE TO THE ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE REPRESENTING THE KOʻOLAU COMMUNITY.
SCR112 SD1 DEMANDING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE RECYCLING PROGRAM, WITH SPECIFIC FOCUS ON THE COLLECTION OF HI-5 RECYCLABLE ITEMS, TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN ALL OFFICES AT THE HAWAII STATE CAPITOL.
SCR113 URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUPPLY ALL CLASSROOMS WITH NARCAN OR ANOTHER TYPE OF NALOXONE BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2024.
SCR114 URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO DISPLAY A PORTRAIT OF PRINCE JONAH KUHIO KALANIANAOLE IN EACH STATE BUILDING, OFFICE, MEETING ROOM, AND WAITING AREA UNDER THE DEPARTMENT'S JURISDICTION.
SR27 SD1 URGING THE MEMBERS OF HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO EXPAND THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE LAVA AND EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE.
SR30 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LATER SCHOOL START TIMES.
SR93 DESIGNATING THE KOʻOLAU KUPUNA COUNCIL AS AN ADVISORY RESOURCE TO THE ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE REPRESENTING THE KOʻOLAU COMMUNITY.
SR94 SD1 DEMANDING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE RECYCLING PROGRAM, WITH SPECIFIC FOCUS ON THE COLLECTION OF HI-5 RECYCLABLE ITEMS, TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN ALL OFFICES AT THE HAWAII STATE CAPITOL.
SR95 URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUPPLY ALL CLASSROOMS WITH NARCAN OR ANOTHER TYPE OF NALOXONE BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2024.
SR96 URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO DISPLAY A PORTRAIT OF PRINCE JONAH KUHIO KALANIANAOLE IN EACH STATE BUILDING, OFFICE, MEETING ROOM, AND WAITING AREA UNDER THE DEPARTMENT'S JURISDICTION.
SR97 AMENDING THE RULES OF THE SENATE TO PROHIBIT MEMBERS AND OFFICERS OF THE SENATE FROM CONSUMING ALCOHOL WITHIN THE STATE CAPITOL.
SR144 AMENDING THE RULES OF THE SENATE TO REQUIRE EACH MEMBER TO PLANT AT LEAST ONE FOOD TREE ON STATE LAND.

Hawai'i State Legislature

Senator Brenton Awa (R)

Minority Leader

Lawmakers seek own investigations into $35K paper bag case (Hawaii News Now)

‘Cut out the bull’: developer and GOP demand affordable housing (Hawaii News Now)

Hawaii Republicans have plans this session to attack state’s housing crisis (KHON2)

Judiciary