James Tokioka, vice chairman of the Kaua‘i County Council, says he wants to take nearly 10 years of experience on the council to the next level to help voters in East and South Kaua‘i. On July 14, Tokioka filed nomination
James Tokioka, vice chairman of the Kaua‘i County Council, says he wants to take nearly 10 years of experience on the council to the next level to help voters in East and South Kaua‘i.
On July 14, Tokioka filed nomination papers for the state House of Representatives District 15 seat, which represents Lihu‘e to Koloa.
Lihu‘e Democrat Ezra Kanoho will retire after 20 years of service to residents from that legislative district. Ron Agor and Linda Estes, a Republican and Democrat, respectively, also have filed papers to run for the same seat.
Tokioka, who has been endorsed by Kanoho for the job, said while “It has been an honor and a privilege to have represented Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau for the past nine years, I feel its time to put my county experience to work at the state level, where I can represent my constituency on a broader range of issues.”
In a news release, Tokioka said the obvious issues he would tackle if elected are improving the educational system and the island’s infrastructure — in particular traffic — and developing affordable housing.
Tokioka was previously affiliated with the Republican Party of Hawai‘i, but said he joined the state’s Democratic Party because the party goals are aligned with his current political philosophies.
Tokioka developed his legislative experience during five consecutive two-year terms on the council.
For the past three years, Tokioka has served as the vice chairman of the council, working under council chair Kaipo Asing.
Tokioka said he has broadened his political acumen by serving as the chairman of the council’s intergovernmental relations, finance, economic development, and planning committees.
Tokioka currently serves as chairman of the council’s Parks & Public Works committee, and was the council’s representative in the Hawaii State Association of Counties and the National Association of Counties and was the executive board member for both HSAC and NACo.
Tokioka counts as one of his most significant accomplishments the authoring and championing of an ordinance banning smoking at eating establishments on Kaua‘i.
Tokioka was a restaurant owner at the time the bill was being processed and would have been affected when the legislation became law.
“I had a lot to lose, but it was the right thing to do,” noted Tokioka. “It’s one of the things I’m most proud of in my years of public service.”
Tokioka said he also was proud to have helped homeowners when they were hit by spiraling property tax assessments brought on by high-priced home sales.
“Last year the council passed the 2 percent cap on personal home use tax rates,” he said. “Now, even if values rise by double-digits, the owner-occupant’s tax bill can rise no more than 2 percent a year.”
If he and other council members and Mayor Bryan Baptiste endeared themselves to homeowners by approving the legislation, Tokioka won the respect of the island’s physically-challenged last year.
Tokioka fought for his son’s rights within the PONY baseball program as he is deaf and protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Tokioka and his son, Justin “Pono,” made the national headlines when he was prevented from going into a dugout to use American sign language to communicate with his hearing-impaired son during a state youth-baseball tournament. League officials said only so many official types were allowed into the dugout.
Pono relied exclusively on his father to give directions to help him play the best he could in the PONY League games.
After the Tokiokas filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice, Kaua‘i County adopted rules banning groups or organizations from discriminating against persons with disabilities from using county park facilities.
Tokioka’s focus is Kaua‘i, but he also has taken stands on national issues.
Before the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, Tokioka authored a resolution urging President Bush to resolve the conflict peacefully. The rest of the council subsequently joined Tokioka in signing the resolution that was sent to Bush.
As a member of the state Legislature, if elected, Tokioka said he wants to continue to be a voice for everyone, especially for those who are not comfortable with the government process.
The son of Thomas and Grace (Cummings) Tokioka, he said he takes pride in the solid upbringing provided by his parents, which instilled in him humility and a deep appreciation of his Hawaiian ancestors, their culture and traditions.
“We were always taught to appreciate simple things we had, and to help others no matter what,” Tokioka said.
Tokioka is a graduate of Kapa‘a High School and currently lives in Lihu‘e.
He has a daughter, Emma who is 6 years old. Tokioka is active in youth sports, and has coached PONY baseball in Lihu‘e for the past six years.
He also sits on the board of directors for the Easter Seals Society of Hawaii.
