Legislature leadership positions announced

Some Big Island elected lawmakers will fill out leadership seats in the state House of Representatives and Senate during the 2025 legislative session,which begins in January.

Last week, the House announced who would fill out the chamber’s five leadership positions. While Kauai Rep. Nadine Nakamura will be the state’s first female speaker of the House, Hilo Rep. Chris Todd will be the majority caucus leader next year.

In the other chamber, West Hawaii Sen. Dru Kanuha will serve as majority leader, Hilo Sen. Lorraine Inouye will be majority whip, and Kohala Sen. Tim Richards will be one of five assistant majority whips.

Meanwhile, the Senate has also announced who will chair its 12 committees.

The Big Island senators who will helm those committees include Richards (Committee on Hawaiian Affairs), Puna Sen. Joy San Buenaventura (Committee on Health and Human Services, and Inouye (Committee on Water and Land).

The House has not announced its committee chairs yet.