About Karl

2016-present HAWAII STATE SENATE

  • 2019-present Chair, Committee on Judiciary
  • 2017-2018 Chair, Committee on Water and Land

2006-2016 HAWAII STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  • 2013-2016 Chair, Committee on Judiciary
  • 2009-2013 Chair, Committee on Labor & Public Employment

TO SEE KARL’S LEGISLATIVE RECORD, CLICK HERE.

ENDORSEMENTS

  • Brian E. Schatz, United States Senator
  • Neil Abercrombie, former Governor of Hawaii
  • International Longshore & Warehouse Union, Local 100
  • International Longshore & Warehouse Union, Local 142
  • Unite Here! Local 5 Hawaii
  • Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO
  • Hawaii State Teacher’s Association
  • International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 3
  • Sierra Club of Hawaii
  • Americans for Democratic Action Hawaii
  • The General Contractors Association of Hawaii
  • Hawaii Nurses Association Office and Professional Employees International Union, Local 50
  • Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Association Local 630, AFL-CIO
  • Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks!
  • Hawaii Firefighters Association, Local 1463, AFL-CIO
  • Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates – Hawai’i

AWARDS

  • 2019 Legislator of the year, Hawaii Dental Association
  • 2016 Certificate of appreciation, US Department of Defense
  • 2013 Humane State Legislator Award, Humane Society of the United States
  • 2013 recipient of the Patsy T. Mink Award.
  • 2012 recipient of the Chinatown Heroes Award.
  • AARP Certificate of Appreciation, for helping to pass the CARE Act.
  • City and County of Honolulu, Environmental Hero Award of Recognition.
  • Japanese-American Citizens League Honolulu Chapter, Certificate of Appreciation.
  • Named Freshman Legislator of the Year for 2007 by the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • Downtown Neighborhood Board, 9 years
  • Chinatown Citizens Patrol, 14 years
  • Pacific Gateway Center Board of Directors, 11 years
  • Honolulu Tower Board of Directors, 6 years

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Legislative Aide, Rep. Marilyn B. Lee, 6 years
  • Small business owner (solo law practice), 4 years
  • Law practice, Perkin & Hosoda, 2 years
  • Legislative Assistant, U.S. Rep. Eliot L. Engel, 3 years
  • Legislative Aide, U.S. Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, 2 years
  • Intern, U.S. Senator John F. Kerry

EDUCATION

  • J.D., George Washington University (with Honors), 1996
  • Summer clerk, Judge Corinne K.A. Watanabe (Intermediate Court of Appeals), 1995
  • M.A., University of London, Soviet & Eastern European Area Studies, 1987
  • B.A. Andrews University (History major, Chemistry minor), 1986

PERSONAL

  • Happily married to Cindy McMillan for 28 years
  • Basketball team, University of London, 1986-87