Jeanné Kapela.

Rep. Jeanné Kapela is the state representative from House District 5 on Hawai’i Island. She is the first woman and Native Hawaiian ever to represent her district. She is also the Chairperson of the Working Families Caucus at the State Legislature. Jeanné was born in Kona and raised in the nearby town of Captain Cook. She graduated from Konawaena High School in 2012. 

 

She has served her community as a member of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Board of Directors, Kona Coffee Farmers Association Board of Directors, Lions Club of Kona member, and communications chair for Konawaena High School's 100th Anniversary Committee.

 

Previously, Jeanné served as Executive Director of Unite Hawai’i, an organization devoted to ending sexual exploitation through education. As a victim service provider for survivors of sexual slavery, she strove each day to provide freedom and justice to women and children affected by sexual violence. 

 

Jeanné grew up in poverty and is committed to uplifting working families like the one in which she was raised. She is the Vice Chair of the House Higher Education and Technology Committee, where she strives to deliver a quality education for all.

 

Jeanne believes that economic and social justice are essential to our democracy. She is eager to craft a clean economy that protects people and our planet from the twin threats of financial inequality and climate change.

 

As your representative, she works tirelessly to champion the needs of working families, protect our iconic agricultural industry, make Hawai'i affordable for all, and preserve our 'āina for generations to come.

 

Our community deserves leadership with aloha. Letʻs support Rep. Jeanné Kapela in her effort to give the promise of paradise to all who call our islands home.