Lisa Chiemi Kitagawa-Akagi is a Democratic member of the Hawaii House of Representatives, representing District 48 . A fourth-generation Japanese American born and raised in Kāneʻohe, she assumed office on November 6, 2018, succeeding Jarrett Keohokalole. She serves as Vice-Chair of the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, and as a member of the Committees on Housing and Transportation. Notable achievements include securing over $102 million in funding for her district, opening the Kāneʻohe Joint Outreach Center to address homelessness, protecting the natural environment, and supporting education initiatives.

Education and Political Experience

Kitagawa began her career as a faculty and student services specialist at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she managed academic advising, scholarships, recruitment, and co-curricular activities for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources . Prior to her election, she worked as Office Manager for State Representative Aaron Ling Johanson, Chair of the Labor and Public Employment Committee. She has volunteered extensively, including as former President and Treasurer of Benjamin Parker Elementary School’s PTA, team parent for AYSO Kāneʻohe Region, and with the Kāneʻohe Community Family Center, KEY Project, and Cherry Blossom Festival.