John Mizuno

John Mizuno is a Democratic politician who served in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 2006 to 2024.^[1] Mizuno was Vice Speaker of the House from 2013 to 2017, and was re-elected Vice Speaker on 20 January 2021.^[2] John Mizuno is the first Hawaii lawmaker to ever be recognized as the Legislator of the Year as a freshman. In 2007 Mizuno was recognized as the Legislator of the Year by the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaii. Mizuno was recognized as Legislator of the Year in 2009 by the Hawaii Psychological Association and in 2010 Mizuno was awarded the Legislator of the Year title by the United States Humane Society. He served as a House Majority Whip from 2011 until 2013. In 2017 Representative John Mizuno became the Chairman of the newly formed super committee of Health and Human Services. This was the first time in the history of the House of Representatives that the Health Committee has ever been combined with the Human Services Committee. Mizuno is the former chair of the Human Services Committee (2009-2012).^[3] Prior to winning elective office, Mizuno was an administrative hearings officer for the Department of Human Services in Hawaii (1992-1998), a special investigator for the Department of Human Services in Hawaii (1998-2003), and a legislative staff member for the House of Representatives (2003-2006).^[4] He is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Willamette University College of Law.

John Mizuno
Vice Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives
In office January 20, 2021 – November 8, 2022
Preceded by	Mark Nakashima
Succeeded by	Greggor Ilagan
In office January 2013 – January 2017
Preceded by	Joey Manahan
Succeeded by	Mark Nakashima
Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives
In office December 2006 – January 2, 2024
Preceded by	Karl Rhoads
Succeeded by	May Mizuno
Constituency	28th district (2006–2022) 29th district (2022–2024)
Personal details
Born	(1964-08-02) August 2, 1964 (age 60) Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	May Mizuno
Education	University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (BS) Willamette University (JD)
Website	State House website

Mizuno resigned from the Hawaii House in January 2024 to assume the position of coordinator on homelessness under Governor Josh Green; his wife May Mizuno was appointed to succeed him.^[5]

References

1. Hawaii State Legislator Threats Criminal Charges – Then Withdraws Threat – Over Letter to the Editor | Hawaii Reporter
2. Acknowledging and recognizing the majority caucus leaders and naming the chairs, vice chairs, and members of the standing committees of the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature (House Resolution No. 4). Hawaii House of Representatives. 20 January 2021. p. 1. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
3. John Mizuno – Honolulu Civil Beat Archived 2013-08-06 at the Wayback Machine
4. Representative John Mizuno's Biography - Project Vote Smart
5. "May Mizuno succeeds her husband as new House Representative for District 29". 16 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.

Hawaii House of Representatives
Preceded by Joey Manahan	Vice Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives 2013–2017	Succeeded by Mark Nakashima
Preceded by Mark Nakashima	Vice Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives 2021–2023	Succeeded by Greggor Ilagan