Chris Lee (Hawaii politician)
Christopher Kalani Cushman Lee (born January 28, 1981) is an American politician and a Democratic member of the Hawaii Senate. He was the youngest member and only millennial serving in the Hawaii State Legislature when elected in November, 2008. He currently serves as Majority Whip and Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. He also serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations and commissions.
Christopher Lee | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Hawaii Senate from the 25th district | |
| Assumed office November 3, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Laura Thielen |
| Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives from the 51st district | |
| In office November 4, 2008 – November 3, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Tommy Waters |
| Succeeded by | Lisa Marten |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christopher Kalani Cushman Lee January 28, 1981 Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Oregon State University |
| Website | chrisleeforhawaii |
Lee is a supporter of addressing climate change and has authored laws making Hawaii the first state to mandate 100 percent renewable energy by 2045, the first state to commit to economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2045, and the first state requiring all public schools and universities to upgrade and become net-zero facilities by 2035. He is an advocate for equal rights, serving as spokesperson for the campaign to pass the Hawaii Marriage Equality Act in 2013, and authoring two laws protecting transgender individuals.
Lee also successfully helped lead the campaign to expand the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument into the world's largest marine protected area, and successfully led the opposition to defeat a $4.3 billion takeover of Hawaii's electric utilities by Florida-based Nextera Energy.