Ronald Kouchi is a member of the Hawaii State Senate, representing District 8. He assumed office on November 6, 2012. His current term ends on November 3, 2026. Kouchi currently serves as President of the Hawaii State Senate, a position he has held since 2015. Kouchi was born in Los Angeles, California. He attended Drake University. He originally wanted to be a teacher, but he decided to enter politics, beginning by working on the campaign for Kauai Mayor Eduardo Malapit. He also served as a legislative analyst for state Rep. Dennis Yamada. In 1983, Kouchi ran for a seat on the Kauai County Council. He won and remained on the council for 22 years, including 12 years as the council's chair. Kouchi worked as director of the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative and the Kauai Visitors Bureau, and was also a registered lobbyist. In 2002, he ran for mayor of Kauai but was defeated by Bryan Baptiste. On September 7, 2010, Gov. Linda Lingle appointed Kouchi to the state Senate for District 7 after incumbent Gary Hooser resigned to run for lieutenant governor. He was elected to a full term in November's general election. During his tenure in the Senate, Kouchi served as the Senate's majority caucus leader from 2011 to 2012 and as its vice president from 2013 to 2014.
