Senate

Born

January 9, 1946
Honolulu, Hawaii

Business

Sports Enterprises, LLC, Owner-marketing/communications/consulting (1970 - present)

Political Experience

Senator (2000-2010), Republican Leader, Hawaii State Senate (2002-2010)

Representative (1984-1990), Republican Floor Leader, Hawaii State House of Representatives (1989-1990)

Oahu County Chairman, Republican Party of Honolulu (1975-1976)

Boards and Commissions

Board of Directors, State Legislative Leaders Foundation (2009)

Commissioner, Hawaii Commemorative Quarter Advisory Commission, appointed by Governor Linda Lingle (2006-2007)

Commissioner, Governor's Economic Momentum Commission, appointed by Governor Linda Lingle (2005)

Member, Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Task Force (2005-2006)

Commissioner, Governor's Millennium Commission, appointed by Governor Ben Cayetano (2000)

Director, Children's Advocacy (1991)

Trustee, Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation (1990-1991)

Board of Directors, Denver Broncos - National Football League (1984-Present)

Honorary Lifetime Director, United States Surfing Federation (1987-Present)

Lifetime Director, Association of Surfing Professionals (1985-Present)

Founder and Producer, Triple Crown Surfing (1983-1988)

Founder and President, International Professional Surfing (1976-1983)

Board of Directors, Hui Nalu O`Hawaii (1976-1979)

Board of Directors, Boys Club of Honolulu (1976-1979)

Board of Directors, Outrigger Canoe Club (1972-1973, 1975-1976)

Athletics

World Surfing Champion—Rincon, Puerto Rico (1968)

Peruvian International Surfing Champion—Lima, Peru (1964)

Makaha International Surfing Champion, Sr. Division (1964, 1966) Jr. Division (1962, 1963)

Championship team, Molokai to Oahu Canoe Race (1967, 1968, 1975 Masters 1984)

National Super Stars Competition, Veterans Division—Rotunda, Florida (1976)

Talent, Advertising and Promotional Credits

Co-Host, "Equal Time with Fred Hemmings", KHNR Radio 97.5 (2004 – 2006)

Radio Talk Show Host, KGU Radio (1991 – 1992)

Commentator, "Wide World of Sports", American Broadcasting Company (1970 - 1975, 1978)

Commentator, "Sports Spectacular", Columbia Broadcasting System (1976-1977)

Producer/host, "Hawaii Sports Scene", KITV (1972)

Consultant/test pilot—first artificial wave machine, "Big Surf", Clairol Incorporated (1969)

National Television Commercials—United Airlines (1966), Kellogg's Cereal (1967), Eastman Kodak Europe (1970)

Awards and Honors

Lincoln Legacy Award, Republican Party Hawaii (2006)

Legislator of the Year, Hawaii Medical Association (2005)

Waterman of the Year, Surf Industry and Manufacturer Association (2002)

Listed Top 50 Athletes of Hawaii for 20th Century, Sports Illustrated (2000)

Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame (1999)

Punahou School Athletic Hall of Fame (1994)

International Surfing Hall of Fame (1991)

Top Ranking Legislator, Small Business Hawaii (1985 - 1990, 2001 – 2005)

Top Ten Businessmen's Award, Honolulu Junior Chamber of Commerce (1969)

Duke Kahanamoku Sportsman Award (1969)

Goodwill Tours with Duke Kahanamoku, State of Hawaii (1966-1967)

Athlete of the Year, Honolulu Quarterback Club (1964)

Journalism Credits

Author, "The Soul of Surfing is Hawaiian"—Non-Fiction Best Seller, Hawaii (1997)

Contributing Political Editor, Honolulu Magazine (1991-1992)

Co-Author, "Illustrated Surfing Encyclopedia", Japan (1979)

Author, "Surfing, Hawaii's Gift to the World" (1977)

Weekly Columnist, Honolulu Star Bulletin (1966)

Member of the Republican party.

Member of the following committees:

CPN - Commerce and Consumer Protection
EDH - Education and Housing
ENE - Energy and Environment
HTH - Health
HMS - Human Services
JLCAIP - Joint Legislative Committee on Aging in Place
BOC - Joint Senate-House Investigative Committee on the Bureau of Conveyances
PSM - Public Safety and Military Affairs
SCTF - Special Senate Committee to Consider Approaches to Teacher Furloughs
WTL - Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs
WAM - Ways and Means