Michelle Kidani
American politician (born 1948)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michelle Naomi Kidani[1] (born September 30, 1948, in Honolulu, Hawaii)[2] is an American politician and a former Democratic member of the Hawaii Senate, representing District 17 from 2008 to 2012 and District 18 until 2026. She resigned from the chamber in June 2026.[3]
Michelle Kidani | |
|---|---|
| |
| Vice President of the Hawaii Senate | |
| In office November 10, 2016 – June 30, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Will Espero |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Member of the Hawaii Senate | |
| In office November 2008 – June 30, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Ron Menor |
| Succeeded by | Danielle Bass |
| Constituency | 17th district (2008–2012) 18th district (2012–2026) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 30, 1948 Honolulu, Hawaii Territory, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Honolulu Business College (attended) Leeward Community College (attended) Kennedy-Western University (BS) |
Education
Kidani earned her Associate degree in 1969 as a legal secretary from Honolulu Business College, her AA in liberal arts in 1980 from Leeward Community College, and her Bachelor of Science in 1993 from unaccredited Kennedy-Western University (later Warren National University), a defunct higher education institution that was sued for fraudulent practices by former students and deemed a diploma mill by federal investigators.[4] As of 2026, she is the vice-chair of the Hawaii Senate Education Committee.[5]
Elections
- 2012 Redistricted to District 18, and with Democratic Senator Clarence K. Nishihara redistricted to District 17, Kidani won the August 11, 2012 Democratic Primary with 7,434 votes (60.3%) against former Representative Michael Magaoay,[6] and won the November 6, 2012 General election with 14,518 votes (67.3%) against Republican nominee Rojo Herrera.[7]
- 2008 Kidani challenged incumbent Senator Ron Menor in the three-way September 20, 2008 Democratic Primary, winning with 3,890 votes (41.2%),[8] and was unopposed for the November 4, 2008 General election.[9]
