Rep. Morikawa settles into new office

Left to right - Mark Mararagan, Rep. Dee Morikawa, Tommy Oi, Grant Kagawa

With the Opening Day of the 26th Legislature behind her, freshman Representative Daynette "Dee" Morikawa (District 16 - Ni‘ihau, Lehua, Koloa, Waimea) is ready to take on the rigors of the approximately four-month-long legislative session.

Rep. Morikawa was just recently assigned to her permanent office on the 3rd floor of the State Capitol. Since then, the onslaught of committee hearings and legislative meetings has filled her daily calendar. In addition, she meets with community groups, organizations, and members of the public on the many legislative bills of interest to them.

"The work here is nonstop and fast and at the same time very captivating,” said Rep. Morikawa. “I am still in the learning stages, but I am interested in all the issues and problems facing our state, especially in my district on Kaua‘i. It keeps me motivated, and I will do what I can to keep us going in the right direction."

Rep. Morikawa is very thankful for the guidance and assistance she receives from her House colleagues, especially Representatives Hermina Morita and Jimmy Tokioka.

"I am glad and fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them,” added Rep. Morikawa. “They have been so gracious and helpful to me. I also look forward to working with our counterpart in the Senate, Senator Ron Kouchi."

Representative Morikawa's State Capitol office staff includes Kekaha native, Mark Mararagan, who worked as office manager to former Senator Gary Hooser for the past eight years. Mararagan's experience and knowledge in Hawai‘i's legislative process and operations are expected to be an asset to Morikawa during her first year at the State Capitol.

Also joining Morikawa is Tommy Oi from Lihue, who is taking leave as the Kaua‘i DLNR Land Division Manager to work at the Capitol. In addition, Waimea's own Grant Kagawa, 2005 graduate from Waimea High School and recent graduate of University of Washington will be working as committee clerk in her office.

Morikawa has been selected as Vice Chair to the House Committee on Health. She is also a member of Finance, Human Services, Hawaiian Affairs, and Culture and the Arts Committees. She can be reached toll free by dialing 274-3141, then dialing 6-6280 at the prompt, or by email at repmorikawa@capitol.hawaii.gov.