Ikaika Anderson

Justin-Michael "Ikaika" Anderson (born February 5, 1978) is an American politician from the state of Hawaii and a member of the Democratic Party. Anderson formerly served as chair and presiding officer of the Honolulu City Council and councilmember for the Honolulu County's District 3 (which includes Waimānalo, Kailua and Kāneʻohe).[1][2] He is a past vice chair[3][4] and former chair of its Zoning and Planning Committee.[5]

Ikaika Anderson
Chair of the Honolulu City Council
In office
May 2019 – September 23, 2020
Preceded byErnest Martin
Succeeded byTommy Waters
Vice Chair of the Honolulu City Council
In office
July 2011 – May 2019
Preceded byBreene Harimoto]]
Succeeded byAnn Kobayashi
Member of the Honolulu City Council
from the 3rd district
In office
May 27, 2009 – January 2, 2021
Preceded byBarbara Marshall
Succeeded byEsther Kiaʻāina
Personal details
Born
Justin-Michael Ikaika Anderson

(1978-02-05) February 5, 1978
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
RelativesWhitney Anderson (grandfather)
D. G. Anderson (grand-uncle)
EducationUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (BA)

In September 2020, Anderson resigned from the Honolulu City Council to care for his grandparents, although he faced some criticism for taking a full-time job with Local 630 soon after resigning.[6][7] While Anderson announced on September 9 that his resignation would be effective September 23, he had been working for Local 630 part-time since September 1.[6]

In October 2021, Anderson announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor in the 2022 elections.[8] He previously announced his intention to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives (Hawaii's 1st congressional district) in the 2014 election but was defeated in the primary election by Mark Takai.[4]

Early life

Anderson was born on Oahu and raised on the windward side of the island by his single mother, Kim. His grandfather, Whitney and his grand-uncle. D.G. "Andy" Anderson, both served in both chambers of the Hawaii state legislature. Though Anderson was adopted by his grandparents at two years of age, he was collectively raised by his grandparents and mother as hānai, a custom in Hawaii.[9]

He attended and graduated from Kamehameha Schools and attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in journalism and political science.[5]

Political career

While attending the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Anderson served on the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii (ASUH) Senate.[5] While attending the University of Hawaii, Anderson was the assistant committee clerk for the Hawaii House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee. He worked as a clerk for five legislative sessions.

Anderson launched two unsuccessful Hawaii state legislature attempts. He was elected to the Honolulu City Council in a 2009 special election for the seat of the late Barbara Marshall. Anderson served as Marshall's legislative assistant and she mentored his political career.[1] He was endorsed by Cliff Ziems, Marshall's husband, to succeed her seat on the city council.[10] He was sworn into office on May 27, 2009.[11] Anderson was a member of Honolulu's Agricultural Development Task Force and was the vice chair of the council as well as the chair of the Zoning and Planning Committee prior to being chair.

He won his reelection in 2012 with about 64 percent of the vote.[5]

In June 2012, the Honolulu Ethics Commission issued a "stern advisory opinion" for Anderson's behavior during a parking incident in December 2010.[12][13]

In August 2013, Anderson announced he would seek the democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives for Hawaii's 1st congressional district, which encompasses the urban core of Honolulu.[4] In the 2014 Democratic primary, Anderson received 6.7 percent of the votes, with the nomination going to Mark Takai.

In October 2015, the Honolulu Ethics Commission dismissed complaints against Anderson and other councilmembers over "claims that they failed to disclose gifts from lobbyists before taking critical rail votes."[14]

In May 2018, Anderson (who was chair of the Honolulu City Council's Planning Committee at the time), introduced a bill to demolish large homes built without proper permitting in residential communities.[15] The bill was signed into temporary law for two years on March 13, 2018, putting a moratorium on the homes.[16]

In May 2019, Anderson was unanimously elected as Chair of the Honolulu City Council.[17]

In August 2019, Anderson introduced a resolution to the city council that would allow voters to decide on the elimination of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation.[18] The bill was deferred.[19]

In May 2019, it was announced that Anderson is in the process of drafting a tax on vacant properties.[20]

Personal life

Anderson is a single father and caretaker for his ʻohana. He has four children: Tianni, JW and twins Kaleb and Kaili.

References
  1. "Ikaika Anderson elected to fill Honolulu City Council seat". The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  2. Finnerty, Ryan (May 8, 2019). "Anderson Chosen City Council Chair As Leadership Shifts". Hawaii Public Radio. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  3. "Garcia vacates post as Council chairman". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  4. "Ikaika Anderson announces candidacy for congress". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  5. "Ikaika Anderson". Civilbeat.com. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  6. Jedra, Christina (September 11, 2020). "Honolulu Council Chair Ikaika Anderson Already On Payroll Of Local Union". Honolulu Civil Beat.
  7. Nakaso, Dan (April 17, 2022). "Ikaika Anderson's Honolulu City Council resignation raises questions in lieutenant governor race". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  8. "Ikaika Anderson Launches Campaign for Hawaii Lt. Governor". October 12, 2021.
  9. "About". Ikaika Anderson for Congress. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  10. "11 file to run for Marshall's City Council seat". The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  11. "Ikaika Anderson sworn into office". The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  12. "Honolulu councilman's parking rant deemed unethical". Hawaii News Now. June 26, 2012.
  13. Grube, Nick (June 27, 2012). "Councilman Denies Abuse in Honolulu Parking Flap".
  14. Pang, Gordon Y.K. (October 14, 2015). "Ethics panel dismisses 3 complaints over disputed Council rail votes". Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  15. "The fix to illegal monster homes? Councilman says tear them down". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  16. "Mayor signs bill temporarily banning permits for new 'monster houses'". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  17. "Anderson Chosen City Council Chair As Leadership Shifts". Hawaii Public Radio. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  18. "Rail Faces More Uncertainty As Council Leader Tries To Abolish HART". Civi Beat. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  19. "HART Served More Subpoenas, Council Defers Abolishing Agency, Public Asked About Rail Fares". Hawaii Public Radio. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  20. "Caldwell Unveils Tax Plans To Increase Affordable Housing". Civi Beat. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
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