Ikaika Anderson

Justin-Michael "Ikaika" Anderson (born February 5, 1978) is an American politician from the state of Hawaii and a member of the Democratic Party. Anderson serves as Chair & Presiding Officer of the Honolulu City Council and Councilmember for the City and County of Honolulu’s District 3 (which includes Waimānalo, Kailua and Kāneʻohe).[1][2] He is a past vice chair [3][4] and former chair of its Zoning and Planning Committee.[5]

Ikaika Anderson
Chair, Honolulu City Council
Assumed office
May 2019
Preceded byErnest Y. Martin
Vice Chair, Honolulu City Council
In office
July 2011 – May 2019
Preceded byBreene Harimoto
Succeeded byAnn Kobayashi
Honolulu City Council member, District 3
Assumed office
May 27, 2009
Preceded byBarbara Marshall
Personal details
Born
Justin-Michael Ikaika Anderson

(1978-02-05) February 5, 1978
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Lisa Anderson

Anderson announced his intention to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives (Hawaii’s 1st congressional district) in the 2014 election but was defeated in the primary election.[4]

Early life

Anderson was born on Oahu and raised on the windward side of the island by his single mother, Kim. His grandfather, Whitney and his grand-uncle. D.G. "Andy" Anderson, both served in both chambers of the Hawaii state legislature. Though Anderson was adopted by his grandparents at two years of age, he was collectively raised by his grandparents and mother as hānai, a custom in Hawaii.[6]

He attended and graduated from Kamehameha Schools and attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in journalism and political science.[5]

Political career

While attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Anderson served on the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii (ASUH) Senate.[5] While attending the University of Hawaii, Anderson was the assistant committee clerk for the Hawaii House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee. He worked as a clerk for five legislative sessions.

Anderson launched two unsuccessful Hawaii state legislature attempts. He was elected to the Honolulu City Council in a 2009 special election for the seat of the late Barbara Marshall. Anderson served as Marshall’s legislative assistant and she mentored his political career.[1] He was endorsed by Cliff Ziems, Marshall's husband, to succeed her seat on the city council.[7] He was sworn into office on May 27, 2009.[8] Anderson was a member of Honolulu's Agricultural Development Task Force and was the vice chair of the council as well as the chair of the Zoning and Planning Committee prior to being chair.

He won his reelection in 2012 with about 64 percent of the vote.[5]

In August 2013, Anderson announced he would seek the democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives for Hawaii’s 1st congressional district, which encompasses the urban core of Honolulu.[4] In the 2014 Democratic primary, Anderson received 6.7 percent of the votes, with the nomination going to Mark Takai.

In May 2018, Anderson (who was chair of the Honolulu City Council's Planning Committee at the time), introduced a bill to demolish large homes built without proper permitting in residential communities.[9] The bill was signed into temporary law for two years on March 13, 2018, putting a moratorium on the homes.[10]

In May 2019, Anderson was unanimously elected as Chair of the Honolulu City Council.[11]

In August 2019, Anderson introduced a resolution to the city council that would allow voters to decide on the elimination of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation.[12] The bill was deferred.[13]

In May 2019, it was announced that Anderson is in the process of drafting a tax on vacant properties.[14]

Personal life

Anderson is married to Lisa Anderson (née Hirata). They have four children: Tianni, JW and twins Kaleb and Kaili.

He is a member of the Waimanalo Hawaiian Civic Club, Outrigger Canoe Club, University of Hawaii Alumni Association, Kamehameha Alumni Association, and Filipino Junior Chamber.[6]

References
  1. "Ikaika Anderson elected to fill Honolulu City Council seat". The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  2. Finnerty, Ryan (8 May 2019). "Anderson Chosen City Council Chair As Leadership Shifts". Hawaii Public Radio. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  3. "Garcia vacates post as Council chairman". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  4. "Ikaika Anderson announces candidacy for congress". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  5. "Ikaika Anderson". Civilbeat.com. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  6. "About". Ikaika Anderson for Congress. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  7. "11 file to run for Marshall's City Council seat". The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  8. "Ikaika Anderson sworn into office". The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  9. "The fix to illegal monster homes? Councilman says tear them down". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  10. "Mayor signs bill temporarily banning permits for new 'monster houses'". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  11. "Anderson Chosen City Council Chair As Leadership Shifts". Hawaii Public Radio. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  12. "Rail Faces More Uncertainty As Council Leader Tries To Abolish HART". Civi Beat. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  13. "HART Served More Subpoenas, Council Defers Abolishing Agency, Public Asked About Rail Fares". Hawaii Public Radio. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  14. "Caldwell Unveils Tax Plans To Increase Affordable Housing". Civi Beat. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
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