Kanani Souza
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kristen Kanani Souza is an American politician serving in the Hawaii House of Representatives for the 43rd district (Kapolei, Makakilo). She won the seat in the 2022 election against Democratic opponent Stacelynn Kehaulani Eli.
Kanani Souza | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives from the 43rd district | |
| Assumed office November 8, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Stacelynn Kehaulani Eli |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Republican |
| University of Southern California William S. Richardson School of Law | |
Early life and education
Souza was raised in Kapolei, Hawaii and attended Kamehameha Schools, graduating in 2003.[1] She attended the University of Southern California and graduated from the William S. Richardson School of Law.[1][2] Her brother, Keoni Souza, is a statewide elected official on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees (first elected in 2022 and chosen as vice chair in 2024).[3][4]
Career
Souza has worked as an attorney in private practice and as a lecturer at the University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu.[5] She has also worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney with the City and County of Honolulu,[2] and currently co-chairs the Hawaii chapter of Future Caucus with Greggor Ilagan.[6]
In December 2024, Souza was selected for the Future Caucus Innovation Fellowship as part of the Criminal Justice cohort, a bipartisan coalition of Gen Z and millennial lawmakers interested in creating policies to improve the criminal justice system.[7][8]
