David Ige began his term as the eighth governor of the State of Hawai‘i on December 1, 2014. His accomplishments include Early College, a program enabling high schoolers the ability to earn college credits for free; funding Hawai‘i’s Promise to make college more affordable; and cooling over 1,300 classrooms statewide — all demonstrating his commitment to public education.

Under Governor Ige’s leadership, the state experienced record visitor numbers, which contributed to a robust economy and affirmed Hawai‘i’s global position as a leader in tourism. His efforts resulted in the state achieving a AA+ bond rating, a booming construction industry and the highest employment rate in the nation. Worked to protect over 40,000 acres of watershed forests, delivered thousands of affordable homes and rentals, and advanced a state policy to ensure that 100% of the electricity generated in Hawaii will come from renewable energy resources by the year 2045,.

The Governor was the fifth in a family of six boys, raised in Pearl City when it was mostly populated by cane fields. He was in the first graduating class of Pearl City High School and attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Masters degree in Business Administration / Decisions Sciences. He led a 34-year career in information technology, telecommunications, networks and corporate public policy.

In 1985 he was appointed to a seat in the House of Representatives where he served until he was elected to the State Senate in 1995. During his time in the Legislature, he chaired nine different committees including Education, Health, and the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

Governor Ige is married to Dawn Amano-Ige. They have three children, Lauren, Amy and Matthew, who are currently pursuing their careers on the mainland.