Informing the House that on May 28, 2025, he appointed Joe Gedeon to the House, effective immediately, to serve as the Representative from the 18th House District to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the late Representative Gene Ward.

2025 Regular Session

Governor appoints Michel Joe Gedeon to Hawaii House District 18, effective immediately, filling the Gene Ward vacancy and ensuring continued district representation.

Received

#appointmentofjoegedeonastherepresentativefromthe18thhousedistrict

Purpose and intent

GM 800 functions as a gubernatorial proclamation informing the Hawaii House of Representatives that Governor Josh Green, M.D., has appointed Michel "Joe" Gedeon to serve as the Representative for Hawaii’s 18th House District (Portlock, Hawaii Kai, and Kalama Valley). The appointment is effective immediately and fills the vacancy created by the resignation of the late Representative Gene Ward.

Key provisions

Appointing authority: Governor Josh Green, under section 17-4(a), Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes.

Appointee: Michel "Joe" Gedeon.

Office to be filled: Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives for District 18.

Effective date: Immediately upon appointment.

Vacancy filled: The resignation of former Representative Gene Ward, who served in the office for 27 years, effective March 31, 2025.

Communication: The proclamation is addressed to the Speaker of the House (Nadine K. Nakamura) and indicates the governor’s action and its effective date.

Who is affected

District 18 constituents (Portlock, Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley): Gain representation in the Hawaii House via the appointed representative.

Michel "Joe" Gedeon: Becomes the acting representative for District 18, entering legislative duties immediately.

Hawaii State House of Representatives: Sees a vacancy filled and continued representation for the district.

Hawaii State Senate and Governor’s Office: Not directly altering authority, but the proclamation completes the executive action needed to fill the vacancy.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Background event: The vacancy arose from the March 31, 2025 resignation of former Representative Gene Ward (27 years of service).

Governor’s action: May 28, 2025, appointment issued (per section 17-4(a)).

Legislative action: The bill status shows “Received,” indicating the proclamation was submitted to the Legislature for acknowledgment. There is no indication of a required legislative confirmation in this document.

Official communication: The proclamation is transmitted to the Speaker of the House and copied to the President of the Senate.

Potential impact and considerations

Representation continuity: The appointment ensures continuous representation for District 18 in the House without a vacancy.

Policy and governance: No specific policy changes or budgetary provisions are enacted by this proclamation; it is an executive appointment to fill a seat.

Timing: Effective immediately, allowing Gedeon to participate in legislative duties, committee work, and district oversight without delay.

This GM 800 serves as the formal executive notice of the governor’s appointment to fill the vacant House seat for District 18.

Bill