About J. Kalani English

Senator J. Kalani English was raised in Hana, Maui by his grandparents who instilled in him a strong work ethic and dedication to family and community. Bilingual in English and Hawaiian languages and proficient in Mandarin, Senator English possesses uniquely diverse attributes. He has both a distinguished birthright and well-earned recognition as a ranking Ali'i 7th degree, Royal Order of Kamehameha I and member of The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

Of Hawaiian, Tahitian, Chinese & Russian Jewish heritage, Senator English graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 1984. He went on to Taiwan, continuing his studies and received a certificate from the Center for Public and Business Administration Education from the National Chengchi University. Then in 1989 he earned his B.A. in Pacific Islands Studies from Hawai'i Loa College. He is an alumnus of the East-West Center's Institute of Culture & Communication, and completed graduate studies at UH Manoa in 1995 with an M.A. in Pacific Island Studies.

Senator English built upon his diverse personal and educational backgrounds by developing expertise in a variety of professions including culture, education, horticulture, tourism, journalism, and public service both as a diplomat and as an elected lawmaker. From 1993-1996 he was an adviser to the Permanent Mission of the Federated States of Micronesia to the UN. He was Chief of Staff for a state Senator from 1995-1996, served as a two term Councilmember on the Maui County Council from 1997-2000, and joined the Hawaii State Senate in November 2000.

During his first term Senator English was the Senate Floor Majority Leader and served on several committees. In his second term, he served as Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment, and was a member of the committees on: Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs; Science, Art and Technology; Water, Land and Agriculture; and, Ways and Means. Now in his third term, he is chair the Senate Committee on Energy, Environment and International Affairs and a member of the committees on: Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs; Water, Land and Agriculture; Intergovernmental Affairs; Media, Arts, Science and Technology; and, Ways and Means.

Senator English constantly seeks out opportunities to further his development as a Legislator and community leader. In 2003 he completed The Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He also participated in the prestigious Flemming Leadership Retreats and the Council of State Governments' Henry Toll Fellowship Program.

President, Association of Pacific Island Legislatures; Vice Chair, National Council of State Legislatures Transportation Committee; Delegate, National Caucus of Native American State Legislators; Member, American Council for Young Political Leaders; Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation & International Affairs; Vice Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture & Hawaiian Affairs; Member, Senate Committee on Economic Development & Taxation; Member, Senate Committee on Ways & Means; Co-Chair, Joint Task Force to Conduct a Review of the State Highways Fund; Member, Hawai'i Ignition Interlock Implementation Task Force; Member, Hawai'i Energy Crisis Task Force; Member, Moloka'i Action Team; Member, Hawai'i Invasive Species Committee; Member, O'ahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Committee; Member, Hawai'i Energy Policy Forum; Board Member, Maui Arts & Cultural Center; Board Member, Friends of Maui Drug Court; Board Member, Ho'onipa'a no Hana Foundation; Board Member, Ka 'Ohana o Kalaupapa.

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