Gilbert Keith-Agaran

Gilbert Keith-Agaran

Democratic Party

Prior offices

Hawaii House of Representatives District 9

---

Hawaii State Senate District 5

Successor: Troy Hashimoto

---

Education

Bachelor's

Yale College, 1984

Law

University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, 1987

Personal

Birthplace

Wailuku, Hawaii

Religion

Episcopalian

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal Twitter

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Gilbert Keith-Agaran (Democratic Party) was a member of the Hawaii State Senate, representing District 5. He assumed office on January 16, 2013. He left office on October 31, 2023.

Keith-Agaran (Democratic Party) won re-election to the Hawaii State Senate to represent District 5 outright in the Democratic primary on August 13, 2022, after the general election was canceled.

Keith-Agaran is a former Democratic member of the Hawaii House of Representatives, representing District 9 from his January 2009 appointment to January 7, 2013.

Biography

Gilbert Keith-Agaran was born in Wailuku, Hawaii. He earned a bachelor's degree from Yale College in 1984 and a J.D. from Berkeley Law School at the University of California at Berkeley in 1987. His professional experience includes working as a partner at Takitani Agaran Jorgensen & Wildman LLLP; as the director of the Maui County Public Works & Environmental Management (2002-2005); as the chair of the Hawaii Board of Land & Natural Resource (2000-2002); as the director of the Hawaii Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (2000); as the deputy director of the Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (1999-2000); as the first deputy director of the Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources (1995-1998); and as an associate attorney at Carlsmith Ball LLP.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Keith-Agaran was assigned to the following committees:

• Higher Education Committee
• Committee on Labor and Technology
• Ways and Means Committee, Vice Chair

2021-2022

Keith-Agaran was assigned to the following committees:

• Higher Education Committee
• Water and Land Committee, Vice-Chair
• Ways and Means Committee, Vice-Chair

2019-2020

Keith-Agaran was assigned to the following committees:

• Higher Education Committee
• Ways and Means Committee, Vice Chair
• Water and Land Committee, Vice Chair

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Hawaii committee assignments, 2017
• Higher Education
• Housing
• Judiciary and Labor, Chair

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Keith-Agaran served on the following committees:

Hawaii committee assignments, 2015
• Education
• Judiciary and Labor, Chair
• Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Keith-Agaran served on the following committees:

Hawaii committee assignments, 2013
• Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs, Vice Chair
• Transportation and International Affairs
• Ways and Means

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Keith-Agaran served on these committees:

Hawaii committee assignments, 2011
• Consumer Protection & Commerce
• Judiciary, Chair

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Keith-Agaran served on these committees:

Hawaii committee assignments, 2009
• Finance
• Labor & Public Employment
• Public Safety
• Transportation

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2022

See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2022

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 5

Incumbent Gilbert Keith-Agaran won election outright in the Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 5 on August 13, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gilbert Keith-Agaran	100.0	8,043

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,043
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2020

See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Hawaii State Senate District 5

Incumbent Gilbert Keith-Agaran defeated Christy Kajiwara-Gusman and Rynette Keen in the general election for Hawaii State Senate District 5 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gilbert Keith-Agaran (D)	64.3	13,891
		Christy Kajiwara-Gusman (R)	30.9	6,683
	Submit photo	Rynette Keen (Aloha Aina Party)	4.8	1,028

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 21,602
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 5

Incumbent Gilbert Keith-Agaran advanced from the Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 5 on August 8, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gilbert Keith-Agaran	100.0	8,749

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,749
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Hawaii State Senate District 5

Christy Kajiwara-Gusman advanced from the Republican primary for Hawaii State Senate District 5 on August 8, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Christy Kajiwara-Gusman	100.0	1,207

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,207
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Aloha Aina Party primary election

Aloha Aina Party primary for Hawaii State Senate District 5

Rynette Keen advanced from the Aloha Aina Party primary for Hawaii State Senate District 5 on August 8, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Rynette Keen	100.0	217

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 217
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Hawaii State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016.

Incumbent Gilbert Keith-Agaran ran unopposed in the Hawaii State Senate District 5 general election.

Hawaii State Senate, District 5 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Gilbert Keith-Agaran Incumbent (unopposed)
Source: State of Hawaii - Office of Elections

Incumbent Gilbert Keith-Agaran ran unopposed in the Hawaii State Senate District 5 Democratic primary.

Hawaii State Senate, District 5 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Gilbert Keith-Agaran Incumbent (unopposed)

2014

See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for the Hawaii State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. Gil S. Coloma Keith-Agaran defeated Christy Kajiwara Gusman in the Democratic primary, while Joe Kamaka was unopposed in the Republican primary. Keith-Agaran defeated Kamaka in the general election.

Hawaii State Senate, District 5, General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Gil S. Coloma Keith-Agaran Incumbent	70.2%	9,770
	Republican	Joe Kamaka	29.8%	4,149
Total Votes				13,919

Hawaii State Senate, District 5 Democratic Primary, 2014

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Gil S. Coloma Keith-Agaran Incumbent	64%	5,246
Christy Kajiwara Gusman	36%	2,947
Total Votes		8,193

2012

See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2012

Keith-Agaran won re-election in the 2012 election for Hawaii House of Representatives District 9. Keith-Agaran defeated Joe Pontanilla in the August 11 Democratic primary and ran unopposed in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.

Hawaii House of Representatives, District 9 Democratic Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Gilbert Keith-Agaran Incumbent	59%	2,282
Joe Pontanilla	41%	1,583
Total Votes		3,865

2010

See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2010

Keith-Agaran won re-election to the 9th District seat in 2010. He had no primary opposition on September 18, 2010. The general election took place on November 2, 2010. Jeff Hoylman ran on the Republican ticket for this seat.

Hawaii House of Representatives, District 9 (2010)
Candidates		Votes	Percent
Gilbert Keith-Agaran (D)		4,884	70.8%
Jeff Hoylman (R)		1,307	18.9%

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Gilbert Keith-Agaran did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Gilbert Keith-Agaran completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Keith-Agaran's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My roots are firmly on Maui. I represent the community where I grew up, work and raised my family. I currently serve as Vice-Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, with lead responsibility for capital improvement projects. I previous chaired the Judiciary Committee in both the State Senate and the State House. Hard work, education and fair treatment-values learned growing up on Maui-and my experience and knowledge as a practicing attorney and a State and County administration remain the foundations for my public service. My family, like other immigrants, shared a simple dream of a better life, especially for our next generations. Whether we were born on Maui, or settled here, or moved back after seeing America, we understand the importance of community and that this island is one of the best places to live, work and play.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• My roots are firmly on Maui. I represent the community where I grew up, work and raised my family.
• Rebuilding our local economy should be top of mind- all other issues making Maui a healthy and vibrant community depends on successful businesses and good jobs in both the private and the public sector.
• Hard work, education and fair treatment-values learned growing up on Maui-and my experience and knowledge as a practicing attorney and a State and County administration remain the foundations for my public service.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Maintaining Maui's specialness depends on vigorous local businesses. In the short-term, no alternatives can replace the jobs provided by visitor accommodations and vendors for our hotels, restaurants and activity providers, but we can foster a tourism that better balances economic benefits with impacts on our local population, infrastructure and natural areas. Any diversification must promote self-sufficiency and build our local workforce. Economic investments should advance our sustainability and resilience in health care (educating and training local residents as nurses, medical technicians and physicians), agriculture (supporting local farmers with land, affordable water and assistance to develop value-added products and markets) and energy (developing, adopting, proving and marketing technologies we use to meet our renewable power goals).

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The American President, or episodes of The West Wing.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

A legislator should be thoughtful, fair, open and willing to listen and learn, and then dedicated and committed to following through on addressing issues in their community.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The opportunities that I have came from the work and sacrifices of my immigrant grandfather and parents, and others in their generation that transformed Hawaii from a society dominated by a plantation oligarchy to a more egalitarian modern American state. I want to ensure that those that follow me have the same or better opportunities to thrive in our islands.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Phantom Tollbooth (it taught me to love reading, art and to consider ways to present ideas in a straightforward and entertaining way)

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Love Song (The Cure)

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

While some knowledge of government and civics is valuable, a legislature with membership bringing experience from various backgrounds makes for better deliberations and decision making. Hawaii has a part-time legislature (with a 60-day session running from mid-January to early-May). Legislators return home outside of session to work and live in our communities which keeps us grounded in the concerns and needs of the families we represent. I previously worked on campaigns for friends and served in the Cabinet of Governor Ben Cayetano (1995-2002) and Mayor Alan Arakawa (2003-2005), practicing law before my government service and since leaving County government. I continue to practice law outside of the legislative session.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Rebuilding Hawaii's economy to be more resilient and self-sufficient, and less dependent on leisure travel.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

The legislature determines and sets a balanced budget during session and passes laws and resolutions expressing policy. The Governor implements the approved budget (subject to revenues collected) and the laws passed. Outside of session, the legislature should provide appropriate oversight. Cooperation should be a goal but ultimately legislators should reflect and advocate for their communities and should not shy away from bringing local concerns to the Governor's attention.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Hawaii's neighbor islands (Maui-Molokai-Lanai, Kauai-Niihau, and Hawaii) have only eight of the twenty-five State Senators, and only sixteen of the fifty-one State Representatives. Getting things done requires the support of our colleagues from Oahu. Much of politics is relational- how effective and persuasive we are may depend more on friendships with other legislators than simply being doctrinaire on all issues. You should be able to vote your conscience without making ad hominem attacks on the character or motivations of your colleagues who take a different stance on an issue.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Hawaii has a Reapportionment Commission with membership appointed by the head of the majority and the minority caucus in the State House an Senate.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

The legislature's primary responsibility is to craft a balanced budget that meets community needs and reflects the values and goals of a health and vibrant Hawaii. Where Hawaii spends money on public works- schools, our university, transportation infrastructure and public facilities, and our recreational and wilderness areas-and insuring our rural communities and neighbor islands receive a fair share of resources is an important part of representing our neighbors and local businesses.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

---

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

---

Gilbert Keith-Agaran campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Hawaii State Senate District 5	Won primary	$93,253	$127,885
2020	Hawaii State Senate District 5	Won general	$244,236	N/A**
2016	Hawaii State Senate, District 5	Won	$112,994	N/A**
2014	Hawaii State Senate, District 5	Won	$96,256	N/A**
2012	Hawaii House, District 9	Won	$89,324	N/A**
2010	Hawaii House, District 9	Won	$48,409	N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Hawaii

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of Hawaii scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023

In 2023, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 18 to May 4.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].
In 2022, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 19 to May 5.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].
In 2021, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 20 to April 29. Koho Pono Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to Hawaiian interests. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].
In 2020, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 15 to July 10. Koho Pono Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to Hawaiian interests. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].
In 2019, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 16 through May 2. Koho Pono Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to Hawaiian interests. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].
In 2018, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 17 through May 3. Koho Pono Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to Hawaiian interests. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 18 through May 4. The Legislature held a special session from July 12 from July 20. The legislature held its first special session from August 28 to September 1. The legislature held its second special session from September 25 to September 26. The legislature held its third special session on November 14. Koho Pono Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to Hawaiian interests. Sierra Club of Hawaii Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].
In 2016, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 20 through May 5. The Legislature held a special session from July 12 from July 20. Hawaii Family Advocates Legislators' votes on bills related to social issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].
In 2015, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 21 through May 7. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].

In 2014, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 15 through May 2. Paychecks Hawaii Legislators are scored by Paychecks Hawaii on their "support and advocacy for small business and an improved business climate." Hawaii Republican Party Legislators are scored on their votes on bills highlighted by the organization. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].
In 2013, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 16 to May 3. Paychecks Hawaii Legislators are scored on their "support and advocacy for small business and an improved business climate."

See also

2022 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Heart of the Primaries The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Hawaii State Senate District 5

Website

Facebook

Personal

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Hawaii State Senate District 5 2013-2023	Succeeded by Troy Hashimoto (D)
Preceded by -	Hawaii House of Representatives District 9 2009-2013	Succeeded by -

[show]

Current members of the Hawaii State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Ronald Kouchi

Majority Leader:Dru Kanuha

Minority Leader:Brenton Awa

Senators

District 1

Lorraine Inouye (D)

District 2

Joy Buenaventura (D)

District 3

Dru Kanuha (D)

District 4

Tim Richards (D)

District 5

Troy Hashimoto (D)

District 6

Angus McKelvey (D)

District 7

Lynn DeCoite (D)

District 8

Ronald Kouchi (D)

District 9

Stanley Chang (D)

District 10

Les Ihara (D)

District 11

Carol Fukunaga (D)

District 12

Sharon Moriwaki (D)

District 13

Karl Rhoads (D)

District 14

Donna Kim (D)

District 15

Glenn Wakai (D)

District 16

Brandon Elefante (D)

District 17

Donovan Cruz (D)

District 18

Michelle Kidani (D)

District 19

Henry Aquino (D)

District 20

Kurt Fevella (R)

District 21

Mike Gabbard (D)

District 22

Samantha DeCorte (R)

District 23

Brenton Awa (R)

District 24

Jarrett Keohokalole (D)

District 25

Chris Lee (D)

Democratic Party (22)

Republican Party (3)