2025 HOUSE AND SENATE SESSION JOB OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE NOW

Photo of Mahina Poepoe

House District 13
Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Kaho‘olawe, portion of Kahului, Ha‘ikū, Pe‘ahi, Huelo, Nāhiku, Hāna, Kīpahulu
Room: 331
Phone: 808-586-6790
Fax: 808-586-6779
reppoepoe@capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Mahina Poepoe serves District 13, which includes a portion of Kahului, Pāʻia, Haʻikū, Nāhiku, Hāna, Kīpahulu, Kaupō, Molokini, Kahoʻolawe, Lanaʻi, and Molokai. Born and raised on Molokai, she is a Native Hawaiian woman passionate about aloha ʻāina, and she seeks to bring this intention to our government. Representative Poepoe graduated from the University of Hawaii with a degree in Public Administration while also owning and operating a local surf shop on Molokai. However, she is most proud of her community advocacy background and the volunteer conservation work she has done throughout her district.

The Representative has worked with organizations such as ʻĀina Momona, the Molokai Maui Invasive Species Committee, Kiaʻi Kanaloa, and the Molokai Community Health Center. She co-founded Kūpeke Ahupuaʻa, and has led a successful effort to set a zero cap on short-term vacation rentals in Molokai. In her free time, Representative Poepoe enjoys engaging kilo ʻāina and mālama ʻāina work. It is the Representative’s hope that she can authentically maintain and advocate for the needs of rural communities while bringing greater awareness to aloha ʻāina during her time at the legislature.

Representative Poepoe is proud to serve as Vice Chair of the Water and Land Committee. She also sits on the Corrections, Military, and Veterans Committee and the Finance Committee.
Professional :
Owner/Operator, Malama Surf Shop, 2012-2019
Outreach Assistant, Molokai Maui Invasive Species Committee, 2018-2022
Project Coordinator, ʻĀina Momona, 2019-2022
Field Coordinator, Halawa Hawksbill Project, Summer 2021-present
Legislative Analyst, County of Maui, 2021-2022

Community :
ʻAha Kiole, member
Kiaʻi Kanaloa, volunteer
Molokai Community Health Center, Board Vice President, 2018-2023
Molokai Solid Waste Task Force
Pane Huli Au: Molokai Climate Change Task Force
Kuaaina Ulu Auamo
Sustainable Coastlines, volunteer
The Nature Conservancy, volunteer
Kūpeke Ahupuaʻa, Co-Founder and Board President, 2020-present
GO Gorilla Ogo Hui, volunteer

Education:
Bachelor’s Degree – Public Administration – University of Hawaii, West Oahu

February 26, 2024

Green Amendments Gain Traction in More States Ahead of Elections

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/green-amendments-gain-traction-in-more-states-ahead-of-elections
February 21, 2024

Maui Now: Poepoe introduces bill to provide transportation for medically underserved

https://mauinow.com/2024/02/08/poepoe-introduces-bill-to-provide-transportation-for-medically-underserved/
February 21, 2024

HB2544: Bill to Charter Flights for Rural Island Residents with Medical Needs Moves Forward

https://www.khon2.com/local-news/bill-to-charter-flights-for-rural-island-residents-medical-needs-moves-forward/
April 6, 2023

https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2023/03/55-bills-by-freshmen-lawmakers-advanced-to-senate/
https://mauinow.com/2023/01/16/state-reps-from-maui-county-hold-key-positions-in-2023-legislative-session/
https://www.hawaiihousedemocrats.com/post/house-representatives-raise-concerns-regarding-fuel-spill-at-haleakal%C4%81
March 28, 2023

Why Are Suicide Rates So High In NHPI Populations?

In 2019, suicide was the leading cause of death for Native Hawaiians (NH) and Pacific Islanders (PI) between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four. NHPI students were more likely to have made a plan for suicide, yet they were three times less likely to receive mental health services or treatment medications than non-NHPI students. Why is this happening? And how does this population continue to slip through the cracks? This year I've introduced HB622, legislation that may begin to provide some answers.

Until the 2000 census, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders were included in the broader category of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). This has historically led to a lack of accurate mental health data on the NHPI population. As a Native Hawaiian woman, it is unacceptable to me to see yet another systemic oversight lead to more lives lost. However, that is also the reason why I feel passionate about understanding how historical and cultural context affects the mental health of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders today.

For the full article, follow the link bellow:
https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/03/why-are-suicide-rates-so-high-in-nhpi-populations/
2025 Committee Member of
 Measures Introduced in 2025
Measure and Title
HB57
RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
HB59
RELATING TO DISABLED VETERANS.
HB60
RELATING TO JUVENILE JUSTICE.
HB62
RELATING TO HEALTHCARE FACILITY NURSE STAFFING.
HB85
RELATING TO THE LAND CONSERVATION FUND.
HB86
RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
HB87
RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.
HB88
RELATING TO STUDENT ATHLETES.
HB89
RELATING TO TEACHER HOUSING.
HB98
RELATING TO AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENTS.
HB99
RELATING TO CLIMATE EDUCATION.
HB100
RELATING TO MEDIA LITERACY.
HB107
RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.
HB124
RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYORS.
HB126
RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE.
HB127
RELATING TO PRETRIAL RELEASE.
HB128
RELATING TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.
HB129
RELATING TO YOUTH FEES AND FINES.
HB130
RELATING TO FEES FOR PUBLIC RECORDS UNDER CHAPTER 92F.
HB131
RELATING TO RESEARCH.
HB132
RELATING TO EXPUNGEMENT.
HB133
RELATING TO SURFING.
HB134
RELATING TO ELECTIONS.
HB139
RELATING TO INSURANCE.
HB145
RELATING TO EXPUNGEMENT.
HB146
RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY'S ‘ŌLELO HAWAI‘I INITIATIVES.
HB148
RELATING TO DEFAMATION.
HB149
RELATING TO CORPORATIONS.
HB151
RELATING TO REDRESS FOR WRONGFUL CONVICTION AND IMPRISONMENT.
HB169
RELATING TO MOPEDS.
HB176
RELATING TO DOMESTIC ABUSE PROTECTIVE ORDERS.
HB177
RELATING TO CIVIL IDENTIFICATION CARDS.
HB178
RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
HB179
RELATING TO INCOME TAX.
HB180
RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.
HB182
RELATING TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.
HB183
RELATING TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.
HB184
RELATING TO ELECTRIC BICYCLES.
HB185
RELATING TO CARE HOMES.
HB186
RELATING TO HARASSMENT BY STALKING.
HB190
RELATING TO DECENTRALIZATION OF DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FARM TO SCHOOL.
HB191
RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FARM TO SCHOOL PROCUREMENT.
HB192
RELATING TO FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.
HB194
RELATING TO MARITIME DAY.
HB195
RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
HB196
RELATING TO PORT WORKERS.
HB209
RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
HB212
RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.
HB213
RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.