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Laura Acasio
Member of the Hawaii Senate
from the 1st district
In office
January 19, 2021 – November 8, 2022
Preceded byKai Kahele
Succeeded byLorraine Inouye
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic

Laura Acasio is an American politician who was in the Hawaii Senate from Hawaii's 1st district. She was appointed to the seat by Governor David Ige after incumbent Democrat Kai Kahele won a seat in the United States House of Representatives.[1]

Biography

Acasio was born in Los Angeles. She moved to Hawaii, and studied at the University of Hawaiʻi, earning a degree in geology.[2] She worked as a teacher and a substitute at over fifteen schools, including at Haaheo Elementary in Wainaku, and worked with multiple non-profits as an environmentalist.[3][4] She has two children.[4]

She was appointed on January 19, 2021, to the Hawaii Senate, representing District 1, Hilo, Hawaii. She serves on the committees for Agriculture & Environment, Hawaiian Affairs, Human Services and Judiciary.[4]

Acasio wrote a letter in 2021 to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to request protesters, who some consider illegal squatters on public lands, to be allowed to remain camped on Mauna Kea.[5]

She faults wealthy investors for driving up cost of homes in Hawaii. She is quoted as saying in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald: “This allows wealthy investors to have a feeding frenzy on luxury homes. That frenzy ultimately drives up the cost of land and rental prices in Hawaii."[6]

References

  1. ^ "Kai Kahele sworn in as U.S. representative, becomes the 2nd Native Hawaiian to serve in Congress". Star Advertiser. January 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "Legislative Members". www.capitol.hawaii.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  3. ^ "Hawaii Island educator tapped to fill vacant state senate seat". Hawaii News Now. January 20, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Burnett, John (January 22, 2021). "Acasio lays out her legislative priorities". West Hawaii Today. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  5. ^ Salmons, Stephanie (September 4, 2021). "Lawmakers to DHHL: Don't clear protesters". Hawaii Tribune Herald.
  6. ^ Salmons, Stephanie (July 4, 2021). "Lawmakers prepare for possible veto overrides". Hawaii Tribune-Herald.

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