Shan Tsutsui

Born in Wailuku, Tsutsui graduated from Maui High School in 1989 and received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 1994.[2]

Tsutsui was a member of the Hawaii Senate from 2003 until becoming lieutenant governor in 2012. From 2003 to 2011, he represented district 4, which includes Waihee, Wailuku, and Kahului.[3] Subsequently he represented district 5.

Following the death of U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, Governor Neil Abercrombie appointed Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz to replace Inouye in the U.S. Senate.[4] As president of the Hawaii Senate, Tsutsui was first in line to replace Schatz as lieutenant governor.[4] After consulting with his family, Senate leaders, and Governor Abercrombie, Tsutsui accepted the position.[5] Tsutsui's successor in the Senate (who served until 2014) was selected by Governor Abercrombie from a list of three names submitted by the local Democratic Party central committee.[5] Tsutsui's position as Senate president was filled by Senate vice president Donna Mercado Kim until Senate members voted on a new president on the opening day of the 2013 session.[5]

Tsutsui was elected to a second term as lieutenant governor in 2014. Tsutsui had expected to share the ticket with Abercrombie in the general election, but Ige defeated Abercrombie in the primary.[6] He announced in October 2017 that he would not run for a third term as lieutenant governor in 2018, even though he was eligible to do so because his first term was only the completion of an unexpired term.[7]

Tsutsui resigned as lieutenant governor effective January 31, 2018, to take a job with Strategies 360, a communications firm.[8]

Tsutsui in 2011

Tsutsui and his wife Lyndelle have three daughters, Mikayla, Kaylee and Kenna.[2][9]

• List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States

• Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Hawaiʻi
• Appearances on C-SPAN