Darius Kila is an American politician serving in the Hawaii House of Representatives for the 44th district (Honokai Hale, Nanakuli, Maili). He won the seat in the 2022 election against Republican opponent Kimberly Kopetseg.

Darius Kila
Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives
from the 44th district
Assumed office
November 8, 2022
Preceded byConstituency established
Personal details
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceMaili, Hawaii
Alma materSouthern Oregon University
Websitedariuskila.com

Early life and education

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Kila was born and raised on the leeward coast of Oahu. He graduated from Kapolei High School in 2013 and studied at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee; Fullerton College in Fullerton, California; and Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon.[1]

Career

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Kila previously served as community liaison for Representative Stacelynn Kehaulani Eli, his predecessor in the Hawaii House of Representatives. He was also a member of the Nanakuli-Maili Neighborhood Board and advocate for the Council of Native Hawaiian Advancement.[2]

In 2022, Kila was elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives District 44, which includes Honokai Hale, Nanakuli, and Maili,[2] defeating Republican Kimberly Kopetseg.[3]

In his first legislative session, Kila introduced a resolution that was successfully adopted by the state Legislature to form a working group to address Native Hawaiian intellectual property rights.[4] Other legislative priorities include supporting Native Hawaiian and rural communities and kalo farmers.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Meet Darius".
  2. ^ a b "Candidate Q&A: State House District 44 — Darius Kila". Honolulu Civil Beat. September 27, 2022.
  3. ^ "General Election 2022 - Statewide Summary (Certified Report)" (PDF). Hawaii State Office of Elections.
  4. ^ Dower, Linsey (11 May 2023). "Resolution calls for Native Hawaiian intellectual property working group". Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
  5. ^ Burgos, Annalisa. "Interview: West Oahu representative Darius Kila on helping farmers, kupuna". Hawaii News Now.
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