Ikaika Anderson
Encyclopedia
Justin-Michael Ikaika Anderson (born February 5, 1978) is currently serving his first term on the Honolulu City Council representing City Council
District 3. Ikaika is the fourth member of the Anderson family to hold elective office in Hawaii- his great-great grandfather, former Rep. John C. Anderson, served in the territorial House of Representatives
in the 1920s; his granduncle, former state Sen. D.G. "Andy" Anderson
, served in both the state House and Senate from 1962–1982; and his grandfather, former state Sen. Whitney Anderson
, also served in the state House and Senate from 1978-2000.
, and went on to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he earned bachelor of arts
degrees in both journalism and political science
. While at UH, Ikaika served in student government
for four years, and worked full-time at the Hawaii State Legislature
. Ikaika is also very active in the community, having served as chairman of the Waimanalo Health Center Board of Directors
. He also served on the wastewater treatment
plant board of directors, and participated in clean-up
efforts in and around the Windward Oahu community. Ikaika is married to the former Lisa Hirata, and they have two children, daughter Tianni, and son Justin-Whitney (J.W.)
who represented City Council district 3. During his time with Councilmember Marshall, Ikaika served as her senior legislative aide. He responsibilities included working on the capital improvement project (CIP) budget, Waimanalo and Kane'ohe constituent concerns, federally-funded projects, serving as office liaison to other elected officials
, and various improvement projects in the Council district. In 2008, with Councilmember Marshall's blessing, Ikaika again ran for the state House of Representatives from the 51st District, as Rep. Tommy Waters was retiring. Ikaika lost another tough primary, this time to Chris Lee
, who went on to win election to the House.
to complete Marshall's unexpired term on the City Council. On April 23, in a race featuring 11 candidates, Ikaika won election to the Council with a commanding 49 percent of the vote. Upon his election, Ikaika was selected by his colleagues on the Council to serve as Council Floor Leader
. Ikaika's current term on the Council expires on Jan. 2, 2013.
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
District 3. Ikaika is the fourth member of the Anderson family to hold elective office in Hawaii- his great-great grandfather, former Rep. John C. Anderson, served in the territorial House of Representatives
Hawaii House of Representatives
The Hawaii House of Representatives is the lower house of the Hawaii State Legislature. Accord to Article III, Section 3 of the Hawaii Constitution, amended during the 1978 constitutional convention, the House of Representatives consists of 51 members representing an equal amount of districts...
in the 1920s; his granduncle, former state Sen. D.G. "Andy" Anderson
D. G. Anderson
Dominis Garrida Anderson , also popularly known as D.G. Anderson and Andy Anderson, is an American politician and businessman from Honolulu, Hawai'i....
, served in both the state House and Senate from 1962–1982; and his grandfather, former state Sen. Whitney Anderson
Whitney Anderson
Whitney T. Anderson is an American politician and businessman from Waimanalo, Hawaii. He is the younger brother of D.G. "Andy" Anderson.He served for a total of 20 years in both chambers of the Hawaii State Legislature...
, also served in the state House and Senate from 1978-2000.
Background
Ikaika grew up in Kailua, where he was raised by his grandparents, Whitney and Hannie Anderson. Ikaika graduated from the Kamehameha SchoolsKamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools , formerly called Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate , is a private co-educational college-preparatory institution that specializes in Native Hawaiian language and cultural education. It is located in Hawaii and operates three campuses: Kapālama , Pukalani , and Keaau...
, and went on to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he earned bachelor of arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degrees in both journalism and political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
. While at UH, Ikaika served in student government
Students' union
A students' union, student government, student senate, students' association, guild of students or government of student body is a student organization present in many colleges and universities, and has started appearing in some high schools...
for four years, and worked full-time at the Hawaii State Legislature
Hawaii Legislature
The Hawaii State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state legislature is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Hawaii House of Representatives with 51 representatives, and an upper house, the 25-member Hawaii Senate. There are a total of 76...
. Ikaika is also very active in the community, having served as chairman of the Waimanalo Health Center Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
. He also served on the wastewater treatment
Sewage treatment
Sewage treatment, or domestic wastewater treatment, is the process of removing contaminants from wastewater and household sewage, both runoff and domestic. It includes physical, chemical, and biological processes to remove physical, chemical and biological contaminants...
plant board of directors, and participated in clean-up
Clean-up
Clean-up is a part of the workflow in the production of hand-drawn animation, in which "clean" versions of the "rough" animation drawings are produced....
efforts in and around the Windward Oahu community. Ikaika is married to the former Lisa Hirata, and they have two children, daughter Tianni, and son Justin-Whitney (J.W.)
Public service
After graduating from college, and working at the Hawaii State Legislature for a number of years, Ikaika ran for the State House of Representatives from the 51st District in 2002. He lost a hard-fought primary election to Tommy Waters, who went on to win election to the House. After losing the 2002 primary election, Ikaika joined the staff of then-newly elected Honolulu City Councilmember Barbara MarshallBarbara Marshall
Barbara Novak Marshall was a American television broadcast journalist and politician. She was elected three times to the Honolulu City Council in Honolulu, Hawaii following her retirement from broadcasting....
who represented City Council district 3. During his time with Councilmember Marshall, Ikaika served as her senior legislative aide. He responsibilities included working on the capital improvement project (CIP) budget, Waimanalo and Kane'ohe constituent concerns, federally-funded projects, serving as office liaison to other elected officials
Official
An official is someone who holds an office in an organization or government and participates in the exercise of authority .A government official or functionary is an official who is involved in public...
, and various improvement projects in the Council district. In 2008, with Councilmember Marshall's blessing, Ikaika again ran for the state House of Representatives from the 51st District, as Rep. Tommy Waters was retiring. Ikaika lost another tough primary, this time to Chris Lee
Christian Lee
Christian Lee is an English professional footballer. He made over 140 appearances in Football League and Football Conference between 1995 and 2005.-Career:...
, who went on to win election to the House.
Honolulu City Council
On Feb. 22, 2009 Councilmember Marshall died after a long battle with cancer. Three weeks later, with the blessing and support of Councilmember Marshall's family, Ikaika announced his candidacy for the special electionBy-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
to complete Marshall's unexpired term on the City Council. On April 23, in a race featuring 11 candidates, Ikaika won election to the Council with a commanding 49 percent of the vote. Upon his election, Ikaika was selected by his colleagues on the Council to serve as Council Floor Leader
Floor Leader
Floor Leaders are leaders of their political parties in each of the houses of the legislature.- Senate :In the United States Senate, they are elected by their respective party conferences to serve as the chief Senate spokesmen for their parties and to manage and schedule the legislative and...
. Ikaika's current term on the Council expires on Jan. 2, 2013.