Russell Kokubun
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Contents |
Introduction
Russell Kokubun, born and raised in Honolulu, is a member of the Democratic Party, and was appointed by Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano to replace Sen. Levin in 2000, in the Hawaii State Senate of the Hawaii State Legislature. Kokubun finished that term and has since been elected and reelected to the 2nd Senatorial District seat. The 2nd District includes the S. Hilo and Puna areas of the island of Hawaii, in the state of Hawaii.
Kokubun moved from Honolulu to the Big Island in 1974 to pursue a career in agriculture, Russell lived and worked in Waimea as a farm laborer. Subsequently, he purchased and began operating his farm in Volcano in 1978.
As President and Executive Director of the Volcano Community Association from 1981 through 1984, Kokubun led an effort to prevent destruction of pristine native forest by geothermal development near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Kokubun sat on the Hawai'i County Council from 1984 to 1992 and was chairman during his last four years on the council. He later served as project manager of the Hilo Main Street Program.
In 1992, he sought the Mayor's seat for the Big Island and was unsuccessful in his endeavor.
After serving on the Council, he served two years as the executive assistant to former Big Island Mayor Stephen Yamashiro.
Kokubun was subsequently appointed by Mayor Yamashiro to the post of Deputy Director for the Department of Planning in June 1997 and continued in this capacity until December 2000.
Employment History
- 2000 - Present State Senator, 3rd Senatorial District
- Senate Vice-Chair, Joint Senate-House Investigative Committee for Felix Consent Decree
- Vice-Chair, Hawaiian Affairs Committee
- Committee Member: Ways and Means; Health and Human Services; Water, Land and Environment; Agriculture; Judiciary
- 1997 - 2000 Deputy Planning Director, County of Hawaii
- Deputy Administrator, Department of Planning
- Special Projects Facilitator
- 1995 - 1997 Executive Assistant to the Mayor, County of Hawaii
- Special Projects Facilitator: Hilo Bayfront Recreation Area, Downtown Hilo Landscape Plan, Lincoln Park Improvement Project, Real Property Tax Code Revisions, County General Plan Revisions for Agricultural Lands, Puna Community Development Plan, Kiyoshi Okubo Collection, Waimea Trails and Greenways Project
- 1992 - 1995 Project Manager, Hilo Main Street Program
- Principal responsible for coordinating and managing the revitalization program for Downtown Hilo under the direction of the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association (DIA) Board of Directors.
- Member, State Main Street Council, Historic Preservation Division, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)
- 1988 - 1992 Chairman, Hawaii County Council
- Responsible for the overall functioning of the County Council, i.e. budget adoption, setting policy direction particularly in the areas of land use and fiscal matters, management of Council services and staff, adoption of laws to guide the County.
- Established and maintained cooperative working relationship with the Mayor and Administration.
- Fostered positive intergovernmental relations with the Governor, State Legislators, and Congressional delegation.
- Developed open line of communication with the business community and the general public.
- Member, Hawaii County Housing Agency
- 1984 - 1988 Councilmember, Hawaii County Council
- 1978 - 1988 Owned and Operated Farm in Volcano
- 1980 - 1981 Accountant, Volcano Art Center
- 1975 - 1978 Manager, Hilo Natural Foods Store
- Operator, Hydroponic Greenhouse in Keaau
- 1974 - 1975 Farm Laborer in Kamuela
Community Activities
- Present
- Member, National Board of Advisors, 1996 to 2002, National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Trustee, 1995 to 2002, Historic Hawaii Foundation
- Past
- Member, Board of Land and Natural Resources, 1998 to 2000 Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawaii
- Volunteer Fire Fighter, Company 5 Alpha, Volcano, Hawaii
- Member, Board of Directors, Na Hoaloha `Ainahou
- Member, Forest Stewardship Committee, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, DLNR
- Member, Board of Advisors, Mental Help Hawaii, Inc.
- Member, Board of Directors, University of Hawaii Hilo Alumni Association
- Facilitator, Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Kona/Kohala Natural Resources Roundtable
- Member, Board of Directors, Edith Kanakaole Foundation
- Member, Big Island Planning Committee, State Health Planning and Development Agency
- Member, Board of Advisors, Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Hawaii State Judiciary
- Member, Board of Directors, YWCA Community Youth Activity Program
- Chairman, Hawaii Vog Authority, Comprised of Federal, State, County and private agencies and individuals seeking to gather data, develop recommendations and pursue appropriate legislation to address health impacts of volcanic emissions.
- Convener, Kalapana Task Force, Established by the Governor and Hawaii County Mayor to address the impacts to Kalapana property owners who were displaced from their homes due to lava inundation.
Education
- Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA), Southern Methodist University, 1971
- Graduate, Punahou School, 1966
Personal
- Date of Birth: May 15, 1948
- Marital Status: Married to Anne E. (Heston) Kokubun, State DOE Administrator
- Two Daughters: Ms. Nina K. Kokubun, and Mrs. Keiko M. Mercado, husband Clinton and son Gabriel
- Interests: Farming, hiking, camping, and reading
Member of the following Senate committees:
- AHC - Senate Ad Hoc Committee (Chair)
- ENE - Energy and Environment
- HRE - Higher Education
- BOC - Joint Senate-House Investigative Committee on the Bureau of Conveyances
- WTL - Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs
- WAM - Ways and Means
Contact:
- Hawaii State Capitol, Room 407
- 415 South Beretania Street
- Honolulu, HI 96813
- Phone 808-586-6760
- Fax 808-586-6689
- From the Big Island, toll free 974-4000 + 66760
- Email senkokubun@Capitol.hawaii.gov
External Links
- Russell S. Kokubun (Hawaii State Legislature)
- Senator Russell S. Kokubun (HI) (Project Vote Smart)
- Borreca, Richard. Labor overhaul passes Legislature -- The historic reform dramatically changes public worker laws Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 5-2-01.
- Pang, Gordon Y.K. Hokuli'a exemption viewed as unlikely Honolulu Advertiser, 3-22-05.
- A vision should begin with the end in mind Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 9-26-05.
- Borreca, Richard. Legislators’ feud erupts on last day of session Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 5-6-05.
- Kua, Crystal. Measure protects farm lands -- Critics say that the plan doesn't go far enough to save prime land from development Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 5-8-05.
- Armstrong, Jason. Lawmakers feel backlash from caps public against controversial law West Hawaii Today, 10-24-05.
- Command, Bobby. Agriculture, schools top priorities West Hawai'i Today, 1-17-06.
- DePledge, Derrick. Senate kills bill to allow housing on ag lands Honolulu Advetiser, April 6, 2006.
- Borreca, Richard. Hanabusa reorganizes Senate panels Honolulu Star-Bulletin, May 31, 2007.
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