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.