Representative Lisa Kitagawa is a fourth generation Japanese American who was born and raised in Kāneʻohe. In the 1960s, all of her grandparents moved to Kāneʻohe where they and their families have continued to call the Windward community their home for almost 60 years. Elected to office in 2018, she currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Committee on Finance. Additionally, she serves on the Committees on Housing and Transportation and the Committee on Legislative Management.1
Representative Kitagawa attended Benjamin Parker Elementary School, King Intermediate School and Castle High School. She completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she graduated with distinction with a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Resources and a Minor in Speech, and a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration.
Prior to being elected to office, Representative Kitagawa worked at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa as both a faculty member in student affairs and as a student services specialist for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). She also served as the Office Manager to Representative Aaron Ling Johanson.
She has been an active member of her community by serving with the Kiwanis Club of Kāneʻohe, Ko’olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, and the Castle Alumni/Community Association.
Representative Kitagawa has been married to her husband, Justin Akagi, for over ten years and they have two children, Maia-Joy and Noah.
