House of Representatives

Mark hails from the 34th house district representing the communities of Aiea and Pearl City. He was first elected in 1994 and has successfully won election in seven elections (1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006). He currently serves as the coordinator of the Hawaii State Legislature's Military Appreciation Package.

Mark served as a member of the House Committee on Higher Education, which oversees the 10-campus University of Hawaii system, as well as the various private universities and colleges throughout the state. During his 10-year tenure on the House Committee on Higher Education, Mark served as Chairman (2003 session and 2004 session) and as Vice Chairman (1995 session to 2000 session and 2002 session). Mark served as Chairman of the House Committee on Culture and Arts for four years (1997 session to 2000 session). Mark also served as Vice Speaker of the House during the 2005 and 2006 sessions.

Mark received his Master of Public Health degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1993. After graduating, he worked at the State Department of Health as a public health educator. He joined the Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG) on July 19, 1999 as a First Lieutenant and Preventive Medical Officer for the HIARNG. Currently, he is a Captain in the HIARNG and is the Company Commander of Charlie Company (Medical), 29th Brigade Support Battalion (since Nov. 13, 2006). Mark was called to active duty for six months (May - November 2005) and served as the Hawaii Army National Guard Deputy State Surgeon.

Current Professional Experience

State Representative, Hawaii State House of Representatives
Captain, Hawaii Army National Guard
Owner, Pacific First Health Solutions

Previous Professional Experience

Public Health Educator, Hawaii Department of Health, 1994
Publications Coordinator, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1992-93

Family

Spouse: Sami Aya Takai
Son: Matthew James Takai
Daughter: Kaila Hope Takai
Parents: Erik and Naomi Takai
Siblings: Ross Takai, Nadine Day, Nikki Takai

Education

Master of Public Health, UH Manoa, 1993
BA in political science, UH Manoa, 1990
Diploma, Pearl City High School, 1985
Highlands Intermediate School
Waimalu Elementary School

Honors and Awards

Patrick Henry Award, National Guard Association of the United States, 2006
Civilian Contributor Award, Hawaii Joint Venture Education Forum, 2006
Legislator of the Year, Hawaii National Guard Association, 2006
Charles Dick Medal of Merit, National Guard Association of the United States, 2004
Golden Apple Award, National Association of Federally Impacted Schools, 2004
Champion for Children Award, National Military Impacted Schools Association, 2002
Legislator of the Year, Hawaii Optometric Association, 2002
Fellow, Pacific Century Fellows Program, 1997-98
Hawaii's Outstanding Young Person Award, Hawaii Jaycees, 1995
"10 People Who Will Shape Us," Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 1995
First Lady Volunteer Awards Nominee 1991
Breaststroke, WAC Swimming Champion, 1986
International Youth Year Award, U.S. Secretary of Education, 1985
Nissan Hawaii High School Scholar Athlete Hall of Honor 1985
Nissan Hawaii High School Journalism Hall of Honor 1985
Student of the Year, Pearl City High School, 1985
100-yards breaststroke, U.S. High School All-American, 1984
Four-time State High School Swimming Champion

Current Community Service

Chair, National Network of Legislators in the Military
President, Waiau Gardens Kai G-1 Community Association
Chair, Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Task Force
Co-Chair, Kamehameha Highway Task Force
Congressional Action Committee Officer, Hawaii National Guard
Legislative Chair, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves-Hawaii
Legislative Action Chair, Hawaii National Guard Association
Board Member, Joint Venture Education Forum
Director, UH Letterwinners' Club
Member, Pearl City Lions
Member, Pearl City Community Association
Member, Aiea Community Association

Previous Community Service

State Co-Chair, Hawaii Children and Youth Month
State Co-Chair, Hawaii Leader for a Day Program
Co-Convenor, Hawaii Legislative Keiki Caucus
State Chair, Hawaii's Junior Miss Scholarship Program
Director, UH Alumni Association
Director, UH School of Public Health Alumni Association
Director, Honolulu Symphony Board
Director, American Cancer Society-Hawaii Division
Vice President, American Cancer Society-Central/Leeward Unit
Executive Vice President, Hawaii Business Jaycees
Board Member, Hawaii State DECA Advisory Board
Treasurer, Society for Public Health Education-Hawaii
Director, Aiea High School SCBM Council
Director, Waimalu Elementary School SCBM Council
Director, Hawaii Council on Economic Education
President, Pearl City High School Alumni Association
Chairman of the Board, University of Hawaii Board of Publications
Editor in Chief, Ka Leo O Hawaii
President, Associated Students of the University of Hawaii
Editor in Chief, Pearl City High School's Messenger
President, Pearl City High School Student Government

Member of the following committees:

EDN - Education
HED - Higher Education