Legislative Members

31st Legislature, 2021
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Floor session convene times for Monday, January 25, 2021:
Senate: 9:30 a.m. | House of Representatives: 9:00 a.m.

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House District 23
Hawaii State Capitol
Room 423
phone: 808-586-8475
fax: 808-586-8479
repchoy@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Member of the following committees:

23 - Manoa, Punahou, University, Moiliili

Neighborhood Boards
Manoa No. 7
McCully/Moiliili No. 8

Professional
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) 1983
• Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) 1979
• Principal and Founder, Manoa Consulting Group, LLC, CPAs (formerly Isaac W. Choy, CPA, Inc.)
• Board Chair, Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP) (2013- )
• Member of the Hawaii Association of Public Accountants (HAPA)
• Past state President of the Hawaii Association of Public Accountants (HAPA) from 2003-2006; past state Treasurer
• Member of the UH School of Accountancy Advisory Board
• Frequent lecturer for various accounting organizations, speaking on tax and accounting matters, peer review, and ethics
• Member of HAPA, Society of FSP, Hawaii Estate Planning Council, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the HSCPA
• Past Chairman, Tax Review Commission (2005-2007.) The Commission conducted a systematic review of Hawaii's tax system and recommended to the legislature long- term tax policies.
• United States Marine Corps, 1971-1973 (honorably discharged)

NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE PARTICIPATION
•Council of State Governments (CSG-West):
• -CSG Toll-Fellow (2013)
• -West Trends (2013- )
• -Higher Education Task Force (2013- )
• -Education Public Policy (2013- )
• -Fiscal Committee (2010-2012)
• -Economic Development (2010-20120
• -Suggested State Legislation
• -Western Legislative Academy, Class of 2011

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL):
• -Connected Learning Advisory Board (2013- )
• -Education Data Fellowship (2013- )
• -Budgets & Revenue (2010-2012)
• -National Asian Pacific American Caucus (2009- )

Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) (2013- )

Measures Introduced

No Measures Introduced

Representative Isaac W. Choy represents District 23-Manoa, University, Punahou, Moiliili. Elected into office in 2008, he currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Committee on Intra-state Commerce. He also is a member of the committees on Tourism; Veterans, Military, and International Affairs & Culture and the Arts as well as Finance. A licensed CPA and former chairman of the State's Tax Review Commission, Representative Choy's background and experience has been instrumental in working on tax policy legislation.

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Go to Representative Isaac Choy's photostream

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February 13, 2015

Representative Isaac Choy's JANUARY 2015 Issue of Prevailing Winds

Our Manoa Legislative Town Meeting held in January had a good turnout and was eye-opening. I started by asking for signatures on a petition to save our military base from closure, knowing that the financial impact to the state would be devastating. Most people who attended signed the petition so I am going to assume that base closure is something we don't want. View full article

November 6, 2014

Representative Isaac Choy's OCTOBER 2014 Issue of Prevailing Winds

I am writing this issue of Prevailing Winds from the bow of the Queen Victoria on the Volga River. I am on my annual trip with my wife Laurie to Europe, and this year, we chose to follow the travels of the Russian Czars from St. Petersburg to Russia.View full article

October 8, 2014

Representative Isaac Choy's SEPTEMBER 2014 Issue of Prevailing Winds

Wow! The Be Ready Manoa Disaster Preparedness Fair, which was held on Sept. 13, 2014 at the Manoa District Park, was a huge success! The number of visitors and participants was way more than anyone could imagine. I heard we have over 1,800 visitors. View full article

October 8, 2014

Representative Isaac Choy's AUGUST 2014 Issue of Prevailing Winds

What an interesting election. Now that it is over, let me record a few reflections so I may put this experience behind me. View full article

April 11, 2014

Representative Isaac Choy's APRIL 2014 Issue of Prevailing Winds

Every time I mention the word "Budget", people roll their eyes in dismay anticipating that a long, boring lecture is about to begin. This subject has not come up for a while so I thought I would indulge myself and write what is going on with the University of Hawaii budget before the final Conference committee convenes this month to iron out the House and Senate positions. View full article

April 11, 2014

Prevailing Winds Special Edition Mid-Session Legislative Report

It's half time at the Capitol. Being the Chair of the House Higher Education committee, one would think all the bills referred to me would be about the University of Hawaii, Community Colleges, Athletics, and budgets for all. Surprisingly... View full article

March 27, 2014

Manoa Prepares for Disaster

The Manoa Disaster Preparedness Team (MDPT) gave a presentation to the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center Advanced Recovery Workshop, part of the Pacific Region Ohana Consortium at the Hawaii Convention Center. Manoa will be the first urban community to have completed a disaster preparedness plan for their community. This plan will be unveiled to the Manoa Community in the coming months.

March 27, 2014

Representative Isaac Choy's JANUARY and FEBRUARY 2014 issues of Prevailing Winds are for viewing.

January 2014 issue: And we are off! The 2014 Legislative Session is now in full swing and my work continues as the chairman of the House Higher Education Committee. There is always optimism that something productive will be accomplished in the next sixty legislative days.....

February 2014 issue: The first quarter of the Legislative Session is almost over. The bills that have been introduced run the spectrum from GMO to sexual orientation counseling. Each of these ideas have an advocating constituency, and each is an important subject, which must be addressed...

December 20, 2013

Representative Isaac Choy's OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER 2013 issues of Prevailing Winds have been posted.

October 2013 Issue: My journey to become a Henry Toll Fellow finally came to an end with a graduation ceremony held in Kansas City, Missouri.....

November 2013 Issue: This year, I reached a milestone, my 60th birthday, and my mother insisted that we celebrate "kanreki" with a birthday party......

December 2013 Issue: Are there other people out there who see the lunacy in the most recent news coming out of the University of Hawaii....

October 3, 2013

Representative Isaac Choy's SEPTEMBER 2013 issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

The University of Hawaii's new interim president, upon accepting the position, stated he wanted to facilitate healing in restoring the relationship between the public and the University of Hawaii. READ MORE.View full article

August 2, 2013

Representative Isaac Choy's Prevailing Winds - Special Edition, The Legislative Report

My fifth legislative session ended with a flurry. But it leaves me wondering, what could have been; and yet, being thankful for what was accomplished. The political process is a quandary. After a lifetime of owning my own business, I am convinced decision-making by consensus will never work in the business (real) world. View full article

June 25, 2013

5th Annual Manoa Neighborhood Security Watch Network Coordinators, Block Captains and Members Meeting

An outcry of increasing crime in Manoa Valley led to a Neighborhood Security Watch Informational Meeting in September 2009. There are now 21 Neighborhood Security Watches scattered all over Manoa Valley. Every year since then, the office of Representative Isaac Choy hosts an annual meeting for the Manoa NSW Coordinators, Block Captains and Members. View full article

June 25, 2013

Hawaii Rep. Choy Selected as CSG Toll Fellow

Hawaii Rep. Isaac W. Choy is one of 48 state policymakers from across the country selected as a Council of State Governments' Henry Toll Fellow for the Class of 2013.

The 48 Toll Fellows in the Class of 2013 represent 35 states and Puerto Rico, with 35 serving in the legislative branch, four serving in the judiciary and nine hailing from the executive.

The Toll Fellowship Program named for CSG founder Henry Wolcott Toll, is one of the nation's premier leadership development programs for state government officials. Each year, Toll Fellows brings 48 of the nation's top officials from all three branches of state government to Lexington, Ky., for an intensive six-day, five-night "intellectual boot camp."

Leadership is an art that is enhanced by not only constantly observing other leaders, but determining the right approach to apply in different situations," Choy said. "In politics, it is essential that we find ways to bring people together and guide them to achieve a common objective. Training to sharpen ones leadership skills can only benefit all that we encounter."

The program's agenda includes a lineup of dynamic speakers and sessions designed to stimulate personal assessment and growth, while providing priceless networking and relationship-building opportunities. While each year's program is unique, previous programs have included sessions on leadership assessment, media training, crisis management, appreciative inquiry, adaptive leadership and much more.

Choy is looking forward to learning from his Toll Fellows classmates as well. "Each of the attendees will have a unique leadership style," he said. "I am hoping to gain leadership techniques that produce results, which cannot be written or articulated in reference materials, but gained only through personal contact."

Toll Fellows alumni include U.S. Rep. John Carney, a former Delaware lieutenant governor; U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, a former state Senate president; U.S. Rep Todd Rokita, a former Indiana secretary of state; former North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue and former U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

This year's program will be held Aug. 16-21, 2013.

December 7, 2012

Happy Holidays! Representative Isaac Choy's DECEMBER 2012 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

Whew! Last month's Prevailing Winds ready spurred on some intense discussions. Just think, all I wanted you to know were the things I experienced from my travels. Read more...View full article

November 8, 2012

Manoa Road Task Force Meeting Reconvenes on Thursday, November 8, 2012.

The Manoa Road Task Force, chaired by William Aila, Jr., Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, will reconvene to continue discussions on resolving the ownership, maintenance, and repair responsibility of the portion of Manoa Road leading up to the Lyon Arboretum.

Notice of Public Informational Meeting attached.View full article

November 8, 2012

Manoa Town Meeting - Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Representative Isaac Choy, House District 23 and Councilmember Ann Kobayashi, Council District 5, will host a Manoa Town Meeting to discuss Community Issues and get input from the community for proposed legislation for the upcoming 2013 session.View full article

November 8, 2012

Representative Isaac Choy's NOVEMBER 2012 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

As November approaches in an election year, I always feel this could be my last edition of Prevailing Winds. This election had some drama. It started by me falling down my stairs at home and breaking two toes. View full article

October 18, 2012

4th Annual Manoa Neighborhood Security Watch Coordinators and Block Captains Meeting - Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Guest Speaker Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro spoke to Manoa NSW Members about protecting their community against crimes, scams and other topics of safety, and HPD District 7 Community Policing Team updated the community on reported crime and answered questions. Great turnout!

October 18, 2012

Manoa Road Task Force Meeting Convenes on Monday, October 22, 2012

House Concurrent Resolution No. 153, Regular Session of 2012, was introduced by Rep. Choy and adopted on May 3, 2012. The Manoa Road Task Force will convene, chaired by the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources to examine and make a recommendation to resolve the ownership, maintenance, and repair responsibility of the portion of Manoa Road leading up to the Lyon Arboretum.

Notice of Public Informational Meeting attached.View full article

October 18, 2012

Please enjoy Representative Isaac Choy's past issues of Prevailing Winds March/April 2012, May/June 2012, Prevailing Winds 2012 Special Edition, October 2012

• February 2012 Newsletter
• March/April 2012 Newsletter
• May/June 2012 Newsletter
• Prevailing Winds 2012 Special Edition
• October 2012 Newsletter

February 14, 2012

Representative Isaac Choy's FEBRUARY 2012 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

The fourth session of my legislative career has begun. It definitely has a different feel from the past sessions.View full article

January 9, 2012

Representative Isaac Choy's JANUARY 2012 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

And we're off! and if I may, say, premature perhaps, a feeling of optimism is in the air and the anticipation of better times lies ahead. View full article

December 14, 2011

Representative Isaac Choy's DECEMBER 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing

Cheers from Merry ole England! Representative Choy writes about his recent travel to the UK, and being of a political nature, will report on several observations about life there. Read more.View full article

December 2, 2011

Manoa Legislative Town Meeting

Join Senator Brian Taniguchi, Representative Isaac Choy and Councilmember Ann Kobayashi as they will be hosting a LEGISLATIVE TOWN MEETING to hear the community's concerns and issues as well as ideas for legislation for the 2012 Legislative session.

DATE: Thursday, December 15, 2011
TIME: 6:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Manoa Elementary School Cafeteria
(3155 Manoa Road)

The Manoa Neighborhood Security Watch Recruiting team will also be on hand to answer questions and guide Manoa residents on how they can form a Neighborhood Security Watch on their street. SEE FLYER

November 15, 2011

Representative Isaac Choy's NOVEMBER 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

Representative Isaac Choy talks about his recent trip to Colorado Springs to attend the CSG Western Legislative Academy (WLA) and Bellevue, Washington to attend the CSG National Conference and North American Summit. View full article. View full article

October 4, 2011

Representative Isaac Choy's OCTOBER 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

Prevailing Winds has been an interesting exercise in communications for me. This month's article is on "Ethics."

October 4, 2011

Representative Isaac Choy's SEPTEMBER 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

And we are off! The new fiscal year which began on July 1st has started and we are beginning the year with a bang!

August 15, 2011

Manoa Hot Spots Traffic Safety Awareness Event - August 11, 2011

About 25 members of various Manoa Neighborhood Security Watch groups and their doggies came out to support the Manoa Hot Spots Traffic Safety Awareness sign waving with Manoa Elementary School students and teachers, Farmer's Insurance Hawaii employees, AARP, Walk-Wise Hawaii on Thursday, August 11, 2011, 7 am to 8 am at the Manoa Road entrance to Manoa Elementary School.

It's back to school and drivers need to be careful of children walking to school and crossing the street. The five-way intersection leading to Manoa Elementary School is a dangerous traffic spot that children cross every morning.

This event is sponsored by the Farmer's Hawaii Hot Spots Traffic Safety Program.

August 12, 2011

Representative Choy's Prevailing Winds, Special Edition - The Legislative Report is ready for viewing.

He talks about the 2011 legislative session, how the budget was balanced, and highlights of the 2011 Legislative Session. View full article.View full article

July 7, 2011

Representative Isaac Choy's JULY 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

In Representative Choy's July 2011 issue of Prevailing Winds, he shares with you of a recent graduation he attended which really touched him. View full article

June 30, 2011

Representative Isaac Choy's JUNE 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

In this issue, he grades the 2011 legislative session and talks about some of the hard choices that had to be made. View full article

May 9, 2011

Representative Isaac Choy's MAY 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

In Representative Choy's May 2011 issue of Prevailing Winds, he mentions that 2011 was a time of sacrifice, and a time to choose from alternatives that were less than palatable. He had hoped this would be a rebuilding year with the economy supporting our efforts. View full article

April 7, 2011

Representative Isaac Choy's April 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing

In Representative Choy's April 2011 issue of Prevailing Winds, Representative Choy talks about Bills that have crossed over to the Senate, namely the House budget bill. View a visual comparison of the three budgets (Governor Lingle, Governor Abercrombie and the House Budget bill.) Read more View full article

March 2, 2011

Representative Isaac Choy's March 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

Rep Choy's staff have seized his laptop to write this month's newsletter.

Since last week, Rep. Isaac Choy has been sequestered in marathon Finance Committee hearings-which start in the morning and have gone until the next morning. Yes, they can take bathroom breaks and they do eat.

This past Saturday, February 26, 2011, Rep. Isaac Choy, Sen. Brian Taniguchi and Councilmember Ann Kobayashi hosted the Manoa Legislative Town Meeting, and Rep. Choy who was in a House Finance hearing until 3AM the same morning, seemed to hold up well while he gave a state budget presentation and explained some of the bills he introduced to the audience.

One of Rep Choy's bill's introduced is vitally important to the district, relating to home invasion. The support for this bill and the overwhelming response requesting the bill be heard by the House Judiciary Committee was gratifying as the community took an active part in participating in the legislative process. Crime in our neighborhoods is a topic of concern, and in past months, there have been reported home invasions occurring that have alerted the Manoa community. The Manoa Neighborhood Security Watch Coordinators spread the word of this home invasion bill and written testimony from many NSW members were submitted as well as several NSW Coordinators who came down in person.

The MANOA NEIGHBORHOOD SECURITY WATCH PROGRAM is a network of 18 NSWs scattered all over Manoa Valley. The Volunteer Coordinators, Block Captains and their members are to be commended for their commitment to making their community a safer place to live. Community pride is evident as they wear their Manoa Neighborhood Security Watch tee-shirts as they patrol their neighborhoods and attend the many Manoa NSW Coordinators/Block Captains and Community Town meetings. Thank you to Upper Woodlawn NSW Coordinator Raleigh Ferdun, creator of the Manoa NSW Blog. Raleigh updates crime alerts occurring in the valley, meeting notices, resources and so much more and College Hill NSW Coordinator Norman Wong, disseminates crime alerts emailed to him by Coordinators all over the valley. As you drive through Manoa, you will see many NSW Street Signs placed on private property and the Manoa NSWs are currently awaiting City approval of these customized signs to be placed on public property and purchased by the NSWs. There is a Manoa NSW Recruitment Team (Raleigh Ferdun, Norman Wong and Peter Kobayashi) in place to assist neighbors who wish to start a new NSW or join an existing group.

Mahalo and Aloha to the MANOA Neighborhood Security Watches! View full article

February 18, 2011

Manoa Legislative Town Meeting

Saturday, February 26, 2011View full article

February 18, 2011

MESSAGE FROM REPRESENTATIVE CHOY:

Sitting near the basketball court at Manoa School, I watched many parents trying to balance the bike, as their children wobbled in their attempts to learn to ride a two-wheeler. My parents did the same thing for me a long time ago. It made me think, for some things, change is not necessary and should be left alone.

The daily invocation that begins each House session has been a tradition that began when the very first legislature convened. Speaker Emeritus Souki said it very well when it was his turn to give the invocation, "If you no like the invocation, you no need listen". Well said!

Immediately after the general election, I was assigned the task of representing Speaker Say in the reorganization of the house. The many days and nights of meetings, discussions, negotiations are now done! Now I have enough material to write a pretty interesting and insightful expos�, but I am totally exhausted and the real work of the legislative session has just begun.

The legislature is off to a pretty slow start. We all have just been assigned to our committees and attended all the state departments' informational briefings. Our state departments and agencies are having a difficult time drawing up with their new budget proposals, especially since all the directors are new appointees.

The realization that during the last two years, we were forced to take drastic measures with all of the departmental operating budgets, is now apparent. The departments are now requesting restoration of their budgets in areas where they see services lacking. This rebuilding is being attempted with the few extra dollars from a still-slowly-recovering economy. The departments are trying to coordinate their efforts and will need to have their priorities submitted by March 15th.

The problem with this deadline is that it is after crossover, so the House will just have to prioritize for them, in time to get the proposed budget over to the Senate on time. Do not worry, we will get it done!

The Governor's State-of-the-State message was interesting to say the least. However, I don�t believe and I think the governor himself, does not believe, that all of his proposals will be implemented. We will work together to come up with solutions that will probably make more people angry than happy. Nonetheless, we will try to keep everyone's sacrifice to an "even" level.

The most important lesson I learned from earlier budget battles in the legislature, is to keep all options on the table until the very last minute. Tying our hands early in the deliberation is not the way to get the most equitable results.

I have introduced bills to address crime, the homeless, revenues, education, tax compliance and our Hale Kipa problem. As of last week, there were approximately1600 bills introduced, of which about 10 percent may become law. The vetting process has begun and hopefully some of my ideas will provide good, helpful laws that improve our lives.

Let me end by paraphrasing George Bernard Shaw who said, " Some men see things as they are and ask 'Why?'. Others dream things that never were and say, 'Why not?'".

I believe a legislator should see the world not as it is, but as it can be.

Mahalo and Aloha,

Isaac W. Choy, District 24
State Representative
View full article

December 3, 2010

Representative Choy's E-Newsletter - Prevailing Winds, January 2011

Representative Isaac Choy's January 2011 issue of his e-newsletter, PREVAILING WINDS, is ready for viewing. View full article

November 8, 2010

Manoa Legislative Town Meeting

Thursday, November 18, 2010, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Manoa Elementary School Cafeterium, 3155 Manoa Road Please join Representative Isaac Choy, D-24 and Senator Brian Taniguchi. D-10 as they will be on hand to hear the Manoa Community's Concerns and Issues prior to the upcoming 2011 Legislative Session.For more information

Hawaii State Legislature

Representative Isaac Choy's JANUARY 2015 Issue of Prevailing Winds

Representative Isaac Choy's OCTOBER 2014 Issue of Prevailing Winds

Representative Isaac Choy's SEPTEMBER 2014 Issue of Prevailing Winds

Representative Isaac Choy's AUGUST 2014 Issue of Prevailing Winds

Representative Isaac Choy's APRIL 2014 Issue of Prevailing Winds

Prevailing Winds Special Edition Mid-Session Legislative Report

Manoa Prepares for Disaster

Representative Isaac Choy's JANUARY and FEBRUARY 2014 issues of Prevailing Winds are for viewing.

Representative Isaac Choy's OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER 2013 issues of Prevailing Winds have been posted.

Representative Isaac Choy's SEPTEMBER 2013 issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

Representative Isaac Choy's Prevailing Winds - Special Edition, The Legislative Report

5th Annual Manoa Neighborhood Security Watch Network Coordinators, Block Captains and Members Meeting

Hawaii Rep. Choy Selected as CSG Toll Fellow

Happy Holidays! Representative Isaac Choy's DECEMBER 2012 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

Manoa Road Task Force Meeting Reconvenes on Thursday, November 8, 2012.

Manoa Town Meeting - Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Representative Isaac Choy's NOVEMBER 2012 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

4th Annual Manoa Neighborhood Security Watch Coordinators and Block Captains Meeting - Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Manoa Road Task Force Meeting Convenes on Monday, October 22, 2012

Please enjoy Representative Isaac Choy's past issues of Prevailing Winds March/April 2012, May/June 2012, Prevailing Winds 2012 Special Edition, October 2012

Representative Isaac Choy's FEBRUARY 2012 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

Representative Isaac Choy's JANUARY 2012 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

Representative Isaac Choy's DECEMBER 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing

Manoa Legislative Town Meeting

Representative Isaac Choy's NOVEMBER 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

Representative Isaac Choy's OCTOBER 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

Representative Isaac Choy's SEPTEMBER 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

Manoa Hot Spots Traffic Safety Awareness Event - August 11, 2011

Representative Choy's Prevailing Winds, Special Edition - The Legislative Report is ready for viewing.

Representative Isaac Choy's JULY 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

Representative Isaac Choy's JUNE 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

Representative Isaac Choy's MAY 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

Representative Isaac Choy's April 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing

Representative Isaac Choy's March 2011 Issue of Prevailing Winds is ready for viewing.

Manoa Legislative Town Meeting

MESSAGE FROM REPRESENTATIVE CHOY:

Representative Choy's E-Newsletter - Prevailing Winds, January 2011

Manoa Legislative Town Meeting