Kanani Souza

Republican State Representative, Hawaii House District 43

Kanani Souza represents the 43rd District in the Hawaii House of Representatives, which covers Kapolei and Makakilo on Oʻahu. She has served in the House since 2022. As one of a handful of Republicans in the chamber, she has frequently been independent from her caucus on legislative matters.

Souza is a licensed attorney admitted to practice in both Hawaii and Washington, D.C. She is a native of Kapolei, Hawaii. She attended Maryknoll Grade School for grades K-6 and graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 2003.

In her professional career, Souza has worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney in Hawaii County and as a lecturer in the public sector and private practice. She served as a professor at the University of Hawaii at West Oahu, where she taught business courses.

Beyond her legislative role, Souza has been involved in community service, having served on the advisory board of Caring for Hawai'i Neonates and the board of the ACLU of Hawaii.

Education

Souza holds multiple advanced degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California in political science with a minor in cinema/television
• Master's degree in education from Chaminade University
• Juris Doctor from the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law
• Master of Laws in Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, and Energy Law from Lewis and Clark Law School
• Master of Laws in Air and Space Law from the University of Mississippi School of Law

Political Experience

Souza has represented District 43 since 2022. She identifies cost of living, homelessness, crime, and traffic safety as the most pressing issues facing her district. During her current session year, she initiated 26 bills, though none have passed or failed, with all remaining pending.