Senator Clarence Nishihara currently serves as Chair of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs. He also sits as a member on the Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health and Water and Land. He is also an Assistant Majority Whip.
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Currently in his fourth term, Senator Nishihara was elected to the Hawai&#8216;i State Senate in November 2004, and represents Hawai&#8216;i's 17th Senatorial District (formerly known as the 18th Senatorial District).
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Senator Nishihara and his wife, Lynn, have two daughters: Joy Otsuka, son-in-law Cy, Grandson Zachary, Grand-daughter Hailey; and Julie Ota, son-in-law Chad, Grandson Chase.
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Senator Nishihara graduated with the Class of 1961 from Maui High School and received an A.A. degree from Maunaolu Junior College in 1963; a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Hawai&#8216;i at M&#257;noa in 1970; 5th Year Certificate in Special Education, from the University of Hawai&#8216;i at M&#257;noa in 1972; and M.Ed Administration from the University of Hawai&#8216;i at M&#257;noa in 1993.