Kauaʻiʻs Nakamura becomes first woman to attain speakership in Hawaiʻi House of Representatives

Kauaʻi state Rep. Nadine Nakamura on Nov. 6 assumed the role of Speaker of the House in the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives, making her the first woman to hold the leadership position.

“I’m deeply honored by the support of my House colleagues to lead the state House of Representatives. I’m committed to ensuring a smooth transition as we prepare for the 33rd legislative session,” said Nakamura in a Nov. 7 statement Nov. 7, the day her speakership was announced to the public.

“Our new leadership team is excited to step up and start working now to address the pressing needs of our state.”

Nakamura, who represents state House District 15 (Hā‘ena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Keālia, Kapa‘a, portion of Wailua, Kawaihau), served as majority leader in the state House for the past 2 years. She also previously was chairwoman of the House Committee on Housing.

The Kaua‘i legislator replaces former Speaker Scott Saiki of O‘ahu, who lost his bid for re-election in the August Democratic primary to Kim Coco Iwamoto. Saiki was first elected in 1994 to the state House and had been speaker since 2018.

Kauaʻi state Rep. Luke Evslin, who represents state House District 16 (Wailua, Hanamā‘ulu, Kapaia, Līhu‘e, Puhi, portion of ‘Ōma‘o), explained that when Saiki lost the primary, a petition was circulated among state House members to determine his replacement and Nakamura received majority support.

“When Speaker Saiki lost, which was a big surprise and shock, and it was clear that we were not going to have a speaker before the session began … Nadine arose as the consensus candidate among a majority of members of the House,” Evslin said.

Although Nakamura garnered majority support from among 51 members in a petition, there will be an official vote once the new legislative session begins Jan. 15, 2025. But that petition with signatures has enough power to make her speaker now.

“There can often be an Oʻahu-centric atmosphere” in the state House, Evslin said Thursday afternoon, adding Nakamura will “help give the neighbor islands a voice.” He’s also excited for his House colleague and her accomplishment.

“Itʻs a testament to her hard work and the amount of respect that people in the building have for her,” Evslin said.

Nakamura also received strong support from other Kauaʻi lawmakers.

Kauaʻi state Rep. Dee Morikawa, who represents state House District 17 (Ni‘ihau, portion of ‘Ōma‘o, Kōloa, Po‘ipū, Lāwa‘i, Kalāheo, Ele‘ele, Hanapēpē, Kaawanui Village, Pākalā Village, Waimea, Kekaha), and is also majority floor leader of the House, says Nakamura’s appointment marks a “new way of leadership” and “a new way forward for the House of Representatives.” 

She praised her fellow Garden Isle legislator, calling her a great planner and mediator with the ability to bring people together in decision making. 

“She proved herself to be a very efficient majority leader,” said Morikawa. “She gained a lot of trust, and people kind of just lined up behind her and supported her in this leadership role.” 

Morikawa also pointed out Kauaʻi will be the first island to have the president of the Hawaiʻi Senate, a post occupied since 2015 by longtime Kauaʻi lawmaker Ronald Kouchi, and speaker of the Hawaiʻi House of Representives both hail from its shores at the same time.

“I think thatʻs unheard of,” she said.

Gary Hooser, a former Hawaiʻi state senator representing Kauaʻi and Niʻihau and former Kauaʻi County Council member, described Nakamura becoming speaker as positive for the Garden Isle, with her proposals, bills and funding requests likely to receive special attention because “people will want to stay in her good graces.”

“As Speaker of the House, she will be in an extraordinary position to manage and guide legislation,” said Hoser. “Her voice and her position grows significantly, and with that growth, the voice and position of the district grows with it.”

Prior to being first elected to the state House in 2016, Nakamura was managing director for the Kauaʻi County under former Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. from 2013 to 2016. She also served from 2010 to 2013 as a member of the Kauaʻi County Council.

Nakamura has a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and a bachelor’s of science degree in public affairs and urban planning from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

The other members joining Nakamura and Morikawa on the House leadership team for the upcoming legislative session include:

• Vice Speaker of the House: Rep. Linda Ichiyama (District 31) of Oʻahu. (Rep. Greggor Ilagan, who represents District 4 on Hawaiʻi Island, served in this post in 2023 and 2024.)
• House Majority Leader: Rep. Sean Quinlan (District 47) of Oʻahu.
• House Majority Caucus Leader: Rep. Chris Todd (District 3, which encompasses Keaukaha, Orchidland Estates, ʻĀinaloa, Hawaiian Acres, Fern Acres, Kea‘au, portions of Kurtistown and a portion of Hilo) of Hawaiʻi Island.

“Our team reflects the values of working families and the experiences of many in our community,” Nakamura said in a statement. “Reps. Ichiyama, Quinlan and Todd, as parents of young children, understand firsthand the importance of championing policies that support local families — such as child care, health care access and work-life balance. Rep. Morikawa, a seasoned member, continues to guide us with her institutional knowledge.

“We’re also proud to uphold strong neighbor island representation within the House leadership team.”