Biography
On December 4, 2006, James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. was sworn in to serve a
second term as Lt. Governor.
Shortly after taking his oath of office, the Lt. Governor addressed the
important need to support and strengthen the first and vital cell of human
development, values, support and direction – the family. The Lt.
Governor emphasized that Hawai`i must meet the challenges of
developing new approaches, creating new resources, developing and funding
more programs and facilitating programs that deal with issues such as family
violence, respect for human life, acceptance of responsibility, provisions
for alternative education, treatment of alcohol and substance abuse and
development of effective communication. "The vitality and integrity of a
community is dependent upon the character of its people rather than the form
of its government," Lt. Governor Aiona said in his inaugural speech.
During his first four years in office, the Lt. Governor emphasized
on the urgent need to confront a statewide epidemic of drug abuse,
including countless tragedies caused by addiction to crystal methamphetamine
or "ice," and underage drinking, two issues that he continues to focus
on everyday.
By bringing these issues to the forefront of public discussion, he helped
government, nonprofit organizations and the community focus as never before
on what can be done to prevent substance abuse, treat those suffering from
addiction and curtail the trafficking and manufacturing of illegal
drugs.
In 2006, the Lt. Governor also signed into law Acts 201 (H.B. 2639), 202
(H.B. 3242), and 203 (S.B. 706) to combat underage drinking and drunk
driving. The laws increase penalties for driving a motor vehicle with an
alcohol blood level of .15 or higher, strengthens underage drinking
enforcement by adding consumption, in addition to purchase and possession,
to the list of offenses for arresting a minor, and suspending driving
privileges for persons under 21 years of age who illegally, purchase,
possess or consume liquor.
On October 1 2006, Act 171 (H.B. 2410) went into effect. This law reduces
the amount of psuedoephedrine that can be sold by a pharmacy or retailer
without a prescription to 3.6 grams per day per person, or not more than 9
grams or three packages within 30 days. The law requires that products
containing psuedoephedrine be dispensed, distributed or sold from a secure
area that is not accessible to the general public. The law also requires
that individuals who purchased the products must show identification and
sign for the drug purchase.
In a grass-roots effort to reach Hawai`i’s youth, Lt. Governor Aiona
launched a program of positive thinking called the “Power of Aloha” in
August 2006. The program discusses sharing the Aloha spirit and the
consequences of making right and wrong decisions. His goal is to hand out a
card to every student in Hawai`i. To date, more than 30,000 cards to
schools, businesses and communities have been distributed.
The belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a quality life
stems from the Lt. Governor’s humble beginnings. He was born in 1955 in
Honolulu, graduated from Saint Louis School and earned a bachelor’s degree
in political science in 1977 from University of the Pacific in
California.
Spending his undergraduate years on the mainland provided him with new
experiences and fresh perspectives. At the same time, his years away from
Hawai`i gave him a greater appreciation of his island home. After returning
to O`ahu to help make a difference in people’s lives, he graduated in 1981
from the University of Hawai`i William S. Richardson School of Law.
Lt. Governor Aiona began his legal career with the City and County of
Honolulu’s Department of the Prosecuting Attorney. Following two years as a
deputy prosecuting attorney, he was appointed to the Career Criminal Unit,
where his work included prosecuting career criminals from their initial
indictment all the way to trial.
He went on to serve as a deputy corporation counsel for Honolulu’s
litigation branch and defended the government against lawsuits involving
property, personal injury, contracts and other issues. After three years in
that position, he became the Litigation Branch Chief with administrative and
supervisory authority over personnel and budget matters.
A new phase in the Lt. Governor’s career began in 1990 when he was appointed
to the Hawai`i State Judiciary. He served as a First Circuit Family Court
judge, presiding over divorce, domestic abuse and juvenile crime cases.
Seeing these problems firsthand strengthened his conviction that families
are the foundation of society – a belief that continues to have a profound
influence on his personal and professional life.
In 1993 he was elevated to the Criminal Division of the First Circuit Court
on O`ahu, where he presided over jury and non-jury matters, including some
of the state’s highest-profile criminal trials. Three years later he was
appointed Administrative Judge of the newly created Hawai`i Drug Court.
Serving as the first judge of this highly praised and innovative court is
one of his most fulfilling achievements.
Lt. Governor Aiona retired from the Judiciary in 1998 after gaining
extensive experience working with state agencies and acquiring deeper
insights into how government can better serve its people. He resolved to use
his skills and experience to help build a better government committed to
serving the public.
After working for a time as a legal consultant, arbitrator, mediator and
hearings officer for government agencies, the Lt. Governor set his sights on
running for public office. He was elected to his current post in November
2002.
Lt. Governor Aiona is a dedicated family man, and community and church
leader. He receives constant strength and support from his devoted wife
Vivian and their children Makana, Ohulani, Kulia and Kaimilani. Despite his
busy schedule, he manages to participate in numerous professional and
community activities.
The Lt. Governor is a frequent guest speaker and panelist, often addressing
students on topics such as the court system, criminal law and procedure, and
the importance of making good choices in life. He has also served on the
Corrections Population Management Commission and the Hawai`i Drug Court’s
advisory committee.
Appointed Positions
- In March 2006, Lieutenant Governor Aiona was appointed by President Bush to the Advisory Commission on Drug-Free Communities. As one of the eleven members on the Commission, he will provide critical advice and recommendations to the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, concerning activities carried out under the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) program.
- Hawai`i’s representative to the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free national coalition, the only national effort that specifically targets prevention of drinking by children ages 9 to 15.
- In 2004, Lieutenant Governor was appointed to serve on the prestigious
advisory council for the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA). In this role he provides guidance to the nation
regarding policies and trends affecting the delivery of drug treatment and
prevention services.
Honorary Board Positions - The Lieutenant Governor also cares deeply about education and the future of Hawai`i’s children. He was a Maryknoll School board member from 1995 to 1998, and is currently a trustee for St. Louis School. He was also honorary chairperson of the Hawai`i Children’s Trust Fund.
- Lieutenant Governor Aiona was selected as the Saint Patrick Community’s
2003 honoree for outstanding leadership and community service, and
continues to serve as honorary chair for many other charitable events and
organizations.
Volunteer Coach Work - The Lieutenant Governor is involved in athletics as part of a healthy,
well-rounded lifestyle. He served as a volunteer coach for the Makakilo
Youth Baseball League, and since 1990 has been a volunteer coach and
referee for the American Youth Soccer Organization. He is also an assistant
coach for St. Louis School’s Division I varsity basketball team.
