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 Mānoa, 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 Mānoa home for the last 18 years. Their household also includes several animals, all adopted from the local shelter.
Applying the values and principles from his upbringing, Andrew has been effecting change throughout his career. During his time as a member of Governor Ige's cabinet, he kept 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.
In 2022, Andrew successfully defeated an incumbent in the Democratic primary, and proceeded to win in the general election. In his first term, he served as the vice chair of the House Labor and Government Operations committee, where he utilized his experience from the executive branch to pass legislation to address the state's high workforce vacancy rate. Additionally, he maximized his service on the House Finance committee to secure over $100 million in new funding for the University of Hawaiʻi system and the public schools that serve the district (Roosevelt High School and Mānoa, Noelani and Hōkūlani elementary schools).
Although he is proud of his accomplishments as a new member of the legislature, he knows the work is far from over. He believes that there is no higher privilege than public service, and would be honored to continue to serve in the Hawaii State House of Representatives on behalf of District 22.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
- Mālama Mānoa, Board of Directors;
Chair, Stream Cleaning Committee
- Mānoa Girls Athletic Club, Board of Directors;
Head Coach (Softball and Volleyball)
- Mānoa Japanese Language School, Volunteer
- Mānoa Neighborhood Board, Treasurer
- Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society, Board of
Directors
- USA Softball of Hawaii, Board of Directors;
Head Coach and Umpire
- Hawaii State House of Representatives; Member, District 22
- 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