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Derek Kawakami

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Derek Kawakami
Kawakami in 2025
11th Mayor of Kauai
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 3, 2018
Preceded byBernard Carvalho
Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives
from the 14th district
In office
April 4, 2011 – November 8, 2016
Appointed byNeil Abercrombie
Preceded byHermina Morita
Succeeded byNadine Nakamura
Personal details
Born (1977-08-19) August 19, 1977 (age 48)
Hilo, Hawaii, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
EducationKauai Community College (attended)
Chaminade University (BA)
WebsiteCampaign website

Derek S. K. Kawakami[1] (born August 19, 1977) is an American politician serving as the eleventh Mayor of Kauai since December 3, 2018. Kawakami previously served as a Kauaʻi County Councilmember from 2016–2018 and 2008–2011 and as a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives from April 4, 2011 through November 8, 2016.[2] Kawakami was appointed to the House by Governor Neil Abercrombie to fill the vacancy caused by the appointment of Hermina Morita to chair the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.[3] Kawakami is a member of the Democratic Party.

Kawakami is the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor of Hawaii in the 2026 Hawaii gubernatorial election.[4]

Education

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Kawakami graduated from Kauai High School in 1996.[5] He attended Kauaʻi Community College and earned his BA from Chaminade University of Honolulu.

Personal life

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Kawakami and his wife Monica have two children. He has a wrist tattoo that says "Moniquita" for his wife.[5]

He is the nephew of former Representative Richard Kawakami, a former Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives, and former Representative Bertha Kawakami.[6]

Kawakami's father, Charles Kawakami, was a prominent businessman who was president of Big Save before it was sold to Times Supermarkets, and MFM, Inc. before it was sold to Aloha Petroleum.[7]

Elections

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  • 2012 Kawakami was unopposed for both the August 11, 2012 Democratic Primary, winning with 3,261 votes,[8] and the November 6, 2012 General election.[9]
  • Elected Kauai Council Member November 8, 2016, coming in first with 15,990 votes.
  • Elected Mayor of Kauai on November 6, 2018, defeating Mel Rapozo by a count of 16,797 to 7,969.

References

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  1. ↑ "Representative Derek S.K. Kawakami". Honolulu, Hawaii: Hawaii State Legislature. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Derek Kawakami's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Factsheet 2012 Election Contest and Incumbents". State of Hawaii. Retrieved November 25, 2013. See Note 6
  4. ↑ Fujii-Oride, Noelle (March 17, 2026). "Kaua'i Mayor Kawakami To Challenge Luke For Lieutenant Governor". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Gregg, Amanda (April 20, 2011). "Mr. Kawakami Goes to Honolulu". MidWeek Kaua'i. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  6. ↑ Associated Press (April 5, 2011). "Nephew of former state representatives is appointed to House". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  7. ↑ Carpenter, Jenna (December 6, 2016). "Prominent Kauai businessman Charles Kawakami dies". The Garden Island. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Primary Election 2012 - State of Hawaii - Statewide August 11, 2012" (PDF). Honolulu, Hawaii: Hawaii Office of Elections. p. 3. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Hawaii General 2012 - State of Hawaii - Statewide November 6, 2012" (PDF). Honolulu, Hawaii: Hawaii Office of Elections. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
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