In April 2011, after serving almost two successful terms on the Kauai County Council since 2008, Governor Neil Abercrombie appointed Derek S.K. Kawakami to the Hawaii State House as the Representative for the 14th House District of Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea, Anahola, Wailua, and Kapaa.  Representative Kawakami served the remaining term of former Representative Hermina M. Morita who was appointed to serve as the Chair of the State Public Utilities Commission.
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In the 2012 and 2014 Elections, Representative Kawakami ran and was elected to serve as the Representative for District 14- East and North Kaua'i .
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For the past four Legislative Sessions, Representative Kawakami has served in a  leadership position as the Assistant Majority Leader - 2014;  Vice Chairman of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection - 2011, 2012 ; Vice Chairman of the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce- 2013,2014 and currently serves as the Chair of Economic Development and Business. As a member of various subject matter committees, he has gained a tremendous wealth of experience and broad knowledge base.  His committee membership includes:  Judiciary, Water & Land, and Ocean, Marine Resources & Hawaiian Affairs, Tourism, Agriculture, and Veterans, Military, & International Affairs, & Culture & the Arts.
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Representative Kawakami's family has a long history of public service, and is the third Kawakami to occupy a seat in the State House representing Kauai. He follows the legacy of his uncle, the late-Speaker of the House of Representatives Richard A. Kawakami, and aunt, retired Representative Bertha Kawakami.
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He is a graduate of Kauai High School and Kauai Community College; earned his Bachelors degree in Business administration from Chaminade University. He currently serves on community organizations such as the Kauai Police Activities Board (KPAL),  Kauai Development Economic Board and Kiwanis.
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Representative Kawakami has extensive background in the private sector as the Operations Manager for MFM, Inc. and oversees convenience stores on the East and North side of Kaua'i.  His wife, Monica, is a teacher at Kapaa Middle School and son, Christopher is a student at Kauai Community College  and daughter, Hailee is a student at Kapaa Middle School. 
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Representative Kawakami is proud to introduce two new family members - Kina ( English Cocker Spaniel ) and Persophone (Englsih Springer Spaniel).