Mark Takai
| Mark Takai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii's 1st district | |
|
Assumed office January 3, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Colleen Hanabusa |
| Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives from the 33rd district | |
|
In office 2012–2014 | |
| Preceded by | Blake Oshiro |
| Succeeded by | Sam Kong |
| Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives from the 34th district | |
|
In office 1994–2012 | |
| Preceded by | David Ige |
| Succeeded by | Gregg Takayama |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
July 1, 1967 Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Sami Takai |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Aiea, Hawaii |
| Alma mater | University of Hawaii at Manoa |
| Religion | Episcopalian[1][2] |
| Website |
marktakai |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1999–present |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
Mark Takai (born July 1, 1967) is an American politician from the state of Hawaii. He is a congressman of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 1st district, as a Democrat. He previously served in the Hawaii State Legislature, from 1994 until 2014.
Takai is from Aiea, Hawaii. He serves in the Hawaii Army National Guard as a Lieutenant Colonel and took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009.[3]
Takai became the Democratic nominee for the United States House of Representatives for Hawaii's 1st congressional district in the 2014 elections, following incumbent Colleen Hanabusa's decision to run for the United States Senate.[4] He won that election with 51.2% of the vote, defeating Republican former Congressman Charles Djou.[5]
Early life and education
Takai received his diploma from Pearl City High School in 1985.[6] He is a four-time high school swimming champion and a high school All-American swimmer.[7] Takai received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and his Master of Public Health degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.[8] While at the University, Takai was a Western Athletic Conference champion swimmer, president of the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii, and editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper.[7]
Hawaii House of Representatives (1994–2014)
Takai hailed from the 33rd House and 34th House Districts representing the communities of Aiea, Hawaii and Pearl City, near Pearl Harbor. He was first elected in 1994 and won re-election nine more times (1994 through 2012).[3]
Takai was the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans, Military, the Committee on International Affairs, and the Committee on Culture and the Arts. He was a member of the Committee on Education and the Committee on Higher Education. During the 2005 and 2006 sessions, Takai served as Vice Speaker of the House. He served as Chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education (2003 to 2004 sessions) and as Vice Chairman (1995 to 2002 sessions). Additionally, he was Chairman of the House Committee on Culture and the Arts (1997 to 2000 sessions).
U.S. House of Representatives (2015-present)
Committee assignments
Military service
Mark Takai is a lieutenant colonel of the Hawaii Army National Guard. Takai was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG) on July 19, 1999, and worked as the Preventive Medical Officer. Currently, he is the Division Chief for Soldiers Services and a School Liaison for the HIARNG.[9]
Additionally, Takai serves as the President of the Hawaii National Guard Association and the President of the National Guard Association-Hawaii Insurance, Inc.
Takai served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Base Operations Officer (Camp Mayor) at Camp Patriot, Kuwait, from February 2009 to September 2009. He served as the Company Commander of Charlie Company (Medical), 29th Brigade Support Battalion from November 2006 to May 2008. Takai also was called to active duty for six months (May to November 2005) and served as the Hawaii Army National Guard Deputy State Surgeon.
Among his numerous awards and decorations, Takai received the Meritorious Service Medal from the United States Army in 2009, the Distinguished Service Medal from the National Guard Association of the United States in 2011, and the Hawaii Distinguished Service Order in 2012.
Takai's official date of rank as Lieutenant Colonel was May 14, 2013.[10]
References
- ↑ "US Representative K. Mark Takai (Democratic Party) - Billings Chamber Public Policy". billingschamber.com. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
- ↑ "Public Servants' Prayer". publicservantsprayer.org. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
- 1 2 "State Rep. K. Mark Takai Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel". Hawaii Reporter. June 18, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ↑ "State Rep. Mark Takai launches congressional bid - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL". Hawaii News Now. August 7, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ↑ "2014 Certified Election Results". Hawaii Office of Elections. State of Hawaii. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
- ↑ "HSTA and NEA Give Takai Huge End-of-Year Boost with Endorsement". Hawaii Reporter. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
- 1 2 "A Swim Star Turns UH Watchdog | Keeping Score | Midweek.com". Archives.midweek.com. 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
- ↑ K. Mark Takai, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Editorial: University View; Let’s Give UH a Second Century of Promise, March 25, 2007
- ↑ http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/memberpage.aspx?member=takai
- ↑ "State Rep. K. Mark Takai Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel". hawaiireporter.com. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
External links
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Colleen Hanabusa |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii's 1st congressional district January 3, 2015 – present |
Incumbent |
| United States order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by Elise Stefanik R-New York | United States Representatives by seniority 423rd |
Succeeded by Norma Torres D-California |
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