Lorraine Inouye

Lorraine Rodero Inouye (born June 22, 1940) is an American politician from the state of Hawaii. A member of the Democratic Party, she serves in the Hawaii State Senate, representing District 4. She is of no relation to prominent U.S. senator from Hawaii Daniel Inouye.

Lorraine Inouye
Member of the Hawaii Senate
from the 4th district
Assumed office
December 1, 2014
Preceded byMalama Solomon
Member of the Hawaii Senate
from the 1st district
In office
December 1998 – December 2008
Preceded byMalama Solomon
Succeeded byDwight Takamine
Mayor of Hawaii County
In office
1990 – December 7, 1992
Preceded byLarry Tanimoto (interim)
Succeeded byStephen K. Yamashiro
Personal details
Born (1940-06-22) June 22, 1940
Hilo, Hawaii, U.S.
Spouse(s)Vernon Inouye
Children3
Alma materHilo High School

Political career

Inouye was elected to the Hawaii County Council in 1984.[1] In 1990, Inouye ran in a special election to serve the remainder of the term of Bernard Akana, who died in office, as Mayor of Hawaii County. She defeated Stephen K. Yamashiro by 76 votes, becoming the first Filipino-American woman to serve as the mayor of a U.S. County.[2] She ran for re-election in 1992 but lost to Yamashiro.[1][3]

Inouye ran for the District 1 seat in the Hawaii Senate in 1998, challenging incumbent Democrat Malama Solomon. Inouye defeated Solomon in the primary, and won the general election.[4] She served through 2008. That year, she received a primary challenge from Dwight Takamine, and chose instead to run for Mayor of Hawaii County. Though she initially led her opponents in the opinion polls,[1] she finished third in the Democratic primary, behind eventual winner Billy Kenoi and Angel Pilago.[4][5]

In 2012, Inouye ran for District 4 in the State Senate. She was defeated in the Democratic primary election by Solomon, the incumbent from District 1.[6] In March 2014, Inouye announced she would challenge Solomon in the upcoming primary election to represent District 4.[4] She defeated Solomon in the primary,[7] and won the general election.[8]

Personal life

Inouye graduated from Hilo High School.[9] Prior to running for political office, Inouye worked as a hotelier. Inouye is married to Vernon Inouye, who grows and exports flowers and serves as co-owner, president, and general manager of Floral Resources Hawaii.[1][10] She serves as president of Aloha Blooms, the family-owned anthurium farm.[4]

References
  1. Midweek Printing. "Race In Big Island Mayoral Race". midweek.com. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  2. Aquino, Belinda A. (December 10, 2006). "The Filipino Century in Hawaii: Out of the Crucible". ScholarSpace. Center for Philippine Studies, University of Hawaii at Manoa. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  3. Honolulu Star-Advertiser. "Leader reshaped Big Island as council member, mayor". Honolulu Star-Advertiser - Hawaii Newspaper. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  4. TOM CALLIS Stephens Media Hawaii. "Inouye to challenge Solomon again for Senate seat". West Hawaii Today. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  5. Honolulu Star-Bulletin. "Big Island finale pits Kenoi against Pilago - starbulletin.com - News - /2008/09/22/". starbulletin.com. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  6. Big Island Video News. "Lorraine Inouye concedes senate primary to Solomon". Big Island Video News. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  7. "Inouye defeats Solomon for Senate District 4". West Hawaii Today. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  8. COLIN M. STEWART and JOHN BURNETT Stephens Media Hawaii. "Democratic state Senate candidates cruise to victory". West Hawaii Today. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  9. "Candidate Q&A — Senate District 4: Lorraine Inouye". Civil Beat. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  10. "Floral Resources Hawaii's Exquisite Anthurium". Floral Resources Hawaii. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
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