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Photo of Les Ihara, Jr.

Senate District 10
Pālolo, St. Louis Heights, Maunalani Heights, Ala Wai mauka, portions of Kaimukī, Kapahulu, Mō‘ili‘ili, McCully
Room: 220
Phone: 808-586-6250
Fax: 808-586-6251
senihara@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Les Ihara, Jr. is a veteran legislator who served eight years in the Hawaii House of Representatives (from 1987 to 1994) and has been serving in the Hawaii Senate since 1995. He has held leadership positions such as Senate Majority Leader, Majority Floor Leader, and Majority Policy Leader.

Senator Ihara is a leader on legislative issues involving government transparency, public integrity, campaign and election reforms, environmental and consumer protection, aging and civil rights issues, public access and engagement, and the legislative process.
Legislative
•  State Senate, 1994 to present
•  Senate Majority Policy Leader, 2006 to 2015
•  Joint Legislative Access Committee, Co-Chair
•  Joint Committee on Aging in Place, Co-Chair
•  House of Representatives, 1986-1994
•  House Majority Floor Leader
•  House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, Chair
•  1978 Constitutional Convention, Delegate & Vice President

National Organizations
•  National Conference of State Legislatures, Legislative Effectiveness Committee, Co-Chair, 2011 to 2014
•  Kettering Foundation, Board of Directors, since 2010
•  National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation, member since 2003
•  National Issues Forum Institute, Board of Directors, 2003-2005

Community
•  Kaimuki-Waialae YMCA Board of Managers
•  Kaimuki Lions Club
•  Kaimuki Business & Professional Association
•  Palolo Community Council
•  Palolo Neighborhood Board
•  New Kapahulu Business Association
•  Ala Wai Watershed Community Network
•  Neighborhood Security Watch Association of Hawaii
•  Community Work Day Program

Awards and Recognition
•  Shining Light Award, Hawai‘i Alliance for Retired Americans (2008)
•  Na Lima Kokua Ma Waena O Makua Award, Hawai‘i Pacific Gerontological Society (2006)
•  Good Government Angel Award, Hawai‘i Pro-Democracy Initiative (2003-2004)
•  Lawmaker of the Year, Small Business Hawai‘i (2003)
•  Unsung Hero Award, Hawai‘i's Thousand Friends (2002)
•  Civic Leadership Award, Hawai‘i Technology Trade Association (2000)
•  Good Government Award, Common Cause Hawai‘i (1997 & 1993)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Sustainability

Sustainability Sustainability is on the minds of all in the state. Senators participated in a pilot paperless effort, reducing their consumption by millions of pages. As a result, all public documents are now available online. Read more



February 4, 2010

Hawaii State Senate Paperless Initiative


Video Credit: 2009 Sea Rider Productions



Monday, February 1, 2010

Senate Committees to tweet hearing updates

The Senate announced today that several committees will be participating in a pilot project using Twitter to provide real-time updates on the progress of committee hearings. The Senate Committees on Higher Education (HRE), Commerce and Consumer Protection (CPN), and Health (HTH) will be sending messages to let followers know that the hearing has convened, the bill or measure being discussed, and when the hearing adjourns. View full article
2025 Committee Member of
 Measures Introduced in 2025
No Measures Introduced