Get to Know Andrew
Andrew was born in Camp Zama, Japan, a US Army base located right outside of Tokyo. His father, originally from rural Tennessee, spent over 25 years serving our country, including wars in Korea and Vietnam. His mother was born in Yokohama, Japan, and grew up in post-war Japan with four siblings. Through hard work and perseverance, they overcame humble beginnings to achieve the American Dream and provided Andrew with a middle-class upbringing.
After relocating to Hawaii when he was 11, Andrew attended public schools in Mililani, where he excelled in the classroom and on the playing field. He chose to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa, in part to assist with caregiving for his father whose health was declining at the time. He received a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration, becoming the first in his family to earn a college degree.
After college, Andrew met his future wife Patti, and along with their two lovely daughters, have called Manoa home for the last 15 years. Their household also includes four dogs, who you may have seen around the neighborhood on their daily walks, along with their four cats, all adopted from the local animal shelter.
Applying the values and principles from his upbringing, Andrew has been effecting change throughout his career. As a current member of the governor's cabinet, he continues to help keep the community safe from COVID-19. At the onset of the pandemic, he helped to implement telework for the state workforce to keep government running and spent countless hours at the Convention Center to help process an unprecedented amount of unemployment claims.
More than ever, Andrew believes that we must elect a new generation of leaders who will bring fresh ideas and creative solutions to address the numerous issues that COVID-19 exposed in our society. But most importantly, he knows that it's critical to address the deteriorating level of faith in government. He feels that we deserve leaders who will hold themselves to the highest ethical standards to begin the process of regaining the public's trust.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
- Malama Manoa, Board of Directors;
Chair, Stream Cleaning Committee
- Manoa Girls Athletic Club, Board of Directors;
Head Coach (Softball and Volleyball)
- Manoa Japanese Language School, Volunteer
- Manoa Neighborhood Board, Treasurer
- Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society, Board of
Directors
- USA Softball of Hawaii, Board of Directors;
Head Coach and Umpire
- State of Hawaii, Department of Human Resources Development; Deputy Director
- Healthcare Association of Hawaii;
Vice President of Post-Acute Care
- Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs;
Acting President and Chief Executive Officer
- Communications Pacific;
Vice President of Community Building
- Hawaii State Legislature; Office of State Representative Kenneth T. Hiraki