Get to Know Andrew

Andrew Takuya Garrett has represented House District 22—Mānoa, Tantalus, and portions of McCully-Mōʻiliʻili—in the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives since 2022. He currently serves as chair of the House Committee on Higher Education.

Andrew believes effective public service begins with listening. Whether he is shaping statewide policy at the Capitol or working with residents on neighborhood concerns, he strives to be accessible, collaborative, and focused on practical results.

ROOTED IN FAMILY, SERVICE, AND EDUCATION

Andrew was born at Camp Zama, Japan, to a Japanese mother and an American father who served more than 25 years in the United States Army, including during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Their experiences taught him the importance of perseverance, education, and service to others. His family moved to Hawaiʻi when he was 11, and Andrew attended public schools in Mililani. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, becoming the first member of his family to earn a college degree.

Andrew chose to remain in Hawaiʻi for college partly to help care for his father, whose health was declining. That experience continues to shape his commitment to caregivers, kūpuna, working families, and people navigating complex public systems.

EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE

Before being elected, Andrew served as deputy director of the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Resources Development under Governor David Ige. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped implement telework across state government so essential services could continue safely. He also spent countless hours at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center supporting the state’s response to the unprecedented surge in unemployment claims.

Andrew’s professional experience also includes leadership roles in healthcare, public policy, and community engagement. These positions gave him firsthand experience bringing together government, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community leaders to address difficult public challenges.

AT HOME IN MĀNOA

Andrew and his wife have called Mānoa home for more than 20 years. They have two daughters, and four dogs and four cats that were adopted from the local animal shelter.

Andrew has served on neighborhood and community organizations, coached youth softball and volleyball, and volunteered with the Mānoa Neighborhood Board, Mālama Mānoa and Mānoa Japanese Language School. He also continues to umpire baseball and softball.

For Andrew, representing House District 22 is deeply personal. It is the community where he and his wife raised their family, built lasting friendships, and made their home. He considers serving its residents one of the greatest honors of his life.