What’s a decision that changed the direction of your career?
In 2000, I was given a National Health Corps assignment to serve as a doctor on the Big Island, and after four years of observing issues faced by those in the community, I chose to run for the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives. This position (followed by three terms in the Senate, four years as Lieutenant Governor, and then ultimately as Governor) has allowed me to work on healthcare and housing for all of the people in our state. As I have often shared, housing is healthcare. While I chose to remain a practicing physician in the ER for all of the years until I became Governor, the rules and demands of this office rightly insist that a person be entirely focused.
What’s a daily habit you can’t live without?
I go to the gym six days a week at 5 a.m. to work out, mostly lifting weights and doing some cardio. I find this to be a really positive way to relieve stress, improve stamina, build a better sense of self, and to be physically fit enough for what the role demands. I am honored to serve Hawaiʻi.
How do you stay focused in a world full of distractions?
My training as a physician and subsequent work for over 20 years in the ER have really helped me to focus on crisis management and what to prioritize in the moment. Skills associated with being a doctor have had a very strong crossover to service as LG and Governor, especially during the COVID pandemic and when the Maui Wildfire struck.
What’s one leadership quality you admire in others?
Whenever I meet a truly humble leader, I have great admiration for them. It’s often hard, and quite rare, to manifest this leadership quality in an era dominated by conflict, social media, and the need for instant gratification. Humble leaders are great leaders because they put others’ needs before their own.
What’s one thing you want to be known for outside of work?
I want to be known as a person who truly cares about the well-being of others. So many people have experienced trauma in recent years and the world is changing faster than we ever imagined it would. This has meant people are really struggling to maintain their identities and stay healthy. We need to set aside our ideological differences and simply care for one another.
