Speaker Nakamura, state House leadership announce shared values for upcoming session

Hawai‘i House of Representatives leadership came together at the end of last week — just days before the 2025 state legislative session is set to open Jan. 15 — to announce the bipartisan shared values the chamber will be guided by as the 33rd Hawai’i Legislature begins.

“This is a monumental moment for the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives,” said House Speaker Nadine Nakamura of Kaua‘i, the first woman speaker of the House in Hawai‘i history and first Asian-American woman state speaker of the House in United States. “Across the aisle, these shared values reflect our 51 members’ dedication to serving the public. They remind us of the meaningful work happening here at the Legislature and our daily responsibility to do our best for the people of Hawaiʻi.”

The House will be guided by the following values:

• We serve with aloha, a willingness to collaborate and mutual respect in resolving differing views.
• We bolster our ʻohana, our families and community to grow and thrive.
• We embody integrity and will be kept accountable for our decisions.
• We ground our service in compassion, representing voices that are not always heard.
• We commit to work hard and diligently steward our lands, water and people.

House Majority Leader Sean Quinlan said the majority reaffirms its commitment to serving the public with aloha.

“Our 42 Democrats are unified in protecting democracy, upholding the rights of our residents and improving the quality of life for our communities,” said the O‘ahu lawmaker. “When the House also stands together on shared values, we are truly able to deliver for Hawai‘i families and move our state in the right direction.”

House Minority Leader Lauren Matsumoto emphasized the shared mission is important to both sides of the aisle.

“This is the first time that there have been agreed values for both the House Democrats and House Republicans,” said the O‘ahu representative. “These shared values are a great step towards a stronger and more collaborative legislative process. This year, our 9 Republican members have been preparing and are ready to work hard and protect the future of our state.”

Representing Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau at the state House:

• Rep. Nadine Nakamura, Speaker of the House, Democrat, District 15 (Hā‘ena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Keālia, Kapa‘a, portion of Wailua, Kawaihau)
• Rep. Luke Evslin, Democrat, District 16 (Wailua, Hanamā‘ulu, Kapaia, Līhu‘e, Puhi, portion of ‘Ōma‘o)
• Rep. Dee Morikawa, Majority Floor Leader, Democrat, District 17 (Ni‘ihau, portion of ‘Ōma‘o, Kōloa, Po‘ipū, Lāwa‘i, Kalāheo, Ele‘ele, Hanapēpē, Kaawanui Village, Pākalā Village, Waimea, Kekaha)

Visit the Hawai‘i Legislature website to find more about your state lawmakers, the upcoming 2025 legislative session, watch live and recorded hearings, find proposed bills, submit testimony and more.