Val Okimoto

Val Okimoto is an American politician and educator serving since November 29, 2022 as the member of the Honolulu City Council representing District VIII. She is a former member and Minority Leader of the Hawaii House of Representatives, serving in that body from 2018 to 2022.

Val Okimoto
Member of the Honolulu City Council
from the 8th district
Assumed office
November 29, 2022
Preceded byBrandon Elefante
Minority Leader of the Hawaii House of Representatives
In office
February 17, 2021 – November 8, 2022
Preceded byGene Ward
Succeeded byLauren Matsumoto
Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives
from the 36th district
In office
November 6, 2018 – November 8, 2022
Preceded byBeth Fukumoto
Succeeded byRachele Lamosao
Personal details
BornLihue, Hawaii, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Children2
EducationBrigham Young University, Hawaii (BS)
Chaminade University (GrCert)
WebsiteCampaign website

Okimoto was elected to represent District VIII on the Honolulu City Council, which is the legislative body of the City and County of Honolulu, on November 8, 2022. She was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the November 8, 2022 resignation of the incumbent, who was elected to the Hawaii Senate, on November 29, 2022.[1]

Okimoto previously served as the state Representative for District 36 and is a member of the Republican Party. Okimoto is a 2019 graduate of the Council of State Governments West - Western Legislative Academy,[2] and is a recipient of a 2020 Elected Women of Excellence Award from the National Foundation for Women Legislators.[3] She was elected to serve as Minority Leader on February 17, 2021.[4]

Background

Okimoto was born in Lihue, Hawaii. She is of Japanese and Filipino descent. She graduated from high school with honors from Kauai High School. Okimoto earned a bachelor's degree in Accounting with a minor in Business Management from Brigham Young University of Hawaii, and earned her Special Education Teacher Certification at Chaminade University of Honolulu. Okimoto has done mission work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cebu, Philippines. She is an active member of the community by serving as a Director and Treasurer of the Mililani Town Association (MTA),[5] School Community Council (SCC) board member at Mililani ‘Ike Elementary School, member of the Board of Directors for Hoaloha ‘Ike, Parent and Coach for Mililani American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), and served for 4 years as the President of her church's chapter of a woman's organization.[6]

Political career

Okimoto was elected to represent District 36 of the Hawaii House of Representatives, which includes Mililani Mauka, Mililani, and Waipiʻo Acres, on November 6, 2018. She was re-elected for a second term on November 3, 2020.[6] On November 8, 2022, Okimoto was elected to represent District VIII on the Honolulu City Council.

A social and fiscal conservative, Okimoto opposed gay marriage legislation in 2013 and bills supporting adoption rights for same-sex couples.[7][8]

Electoral history
2022 General Election for Honolulu City Council District VIII[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Val Okimoto 22,456 53.8%
Nonpartisan Ron Menor 16,745 40.1%
2020 General Election for Hawaii House of Representatives District 36[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Val Okimoto 6,949 50.2%
Democratic Trish La Chica 6,337 45.8%
2018 General Election for Hawaii House of Representatives District 36[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Val Okimoto 4,933 51.3%
Democratic Marilyn Lee 4,081 42.4%

Committee assignments
2021-2022 (31st Legislature)
  • Committee on Economic Development
  • Committee on Education
  • Committee on Higher Education & Technology
  • Committee on Labor & Tourism
  • Committee on Legislative Management (beginning February 17, 2021)[4]
2019-2020 (30th Legislature)
  • Committee on Agriculture (2019)
  • Committee on Lower & Higher Education
  • Committee on Tourism & International Affairs
  • Committee on Transportation (2020)

References
  1. "Honolulu City Council Resolution 22-273". hnldoc.ehawaii.gov. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  2. "Council of State Governments West" (PDF). www.csgwest.org. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  3. "National Foundation for Women Legislators". www.womenlegislators.org. 18 February 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  4. "Relating to caucus leaders and committee membership of the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature". House Resolution No. 31 of 17 February 2021. Hawaii House of Representatives. p. 1. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  5. "Board of Directors - Mililani Town Association". www.mililanitown.org. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  6. "Legislative Members". www.capitol.hawaii.gov. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  7. "NATIONAL Hawaii bill, 'Don't Say Gay,' Pride items, activist killed - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. 2022-02-20. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
  8. Eagle, Nathan (2018-10-29). "Hawaii GOP's Best Shot At Winning Something Is A Mililani House Seat". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
  9. "Final Report / Summary Report / General Election 2022" (PDF). Hawaii Office of Elections. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  10. "Final Summary Report - General Election 2020" (PDF). Hawaii Office of Elections. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  11. "Final Summary Report - General Election 2018" (PDF). Hawaii Office of Elections. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
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