J. Kalani English Explained

Kalani English
Office:	Majority Leader of the Hawaii Senate
Term Start:	November 4, 2014
Term End:	May 1, 2021
Predecessor:	Brickwood Galuteria
Successor:	Dru Kanuha
State Senate1:	Hawaii
District1:	7th
Prior Term1:	5th (2000–2002) 6th (2002–2012)
Term Start1:	November 2000
Term End1:	May 1, 2021
Predecessor1:	Joe Tanaka
Party:	Democratic

Jamie Kalani English^{[1] [2]} is a former American politician and was a Democratic member of the Hawaii State Senate representing District 7. English served consecutively from 2001 until 2013 in the District 5 and District 6 seats. English resigned his seat on May 1, 2021,^{[3] [4]} months after having been arrested by Federal agents.

English was charged by the United States Attorney's Office for Hawaii with felony honest services fraud on February 8, 2022 in connection with accepting over $18,000 in cash bribes in exchange for opposing cesspool-related bills while he was a member of the Hawaii State Senate.^{[5] [6] [7]} English has pled guilty to the charge of honest services wire fraud and was sentenced to 40 months in prison.^{[8] [9] [10]}

Early life and education

English earned his Bachelor's degree in Pacific Island studies from Hawaii Loa College, his Master's degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government. His father is of Jewish descent.^[11] He also served on the Maui County Council from 1997 - 2000.^[12] English was a member of the 2000 class of the Pacific Century Fellows.^[13] Pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud in February 2022. English was sentenced to 40 months in prison.

Elections

• In 2000, when Democratic Senator Joe Tanaka retired and left the District 5 seat open, English won the three-way September 23, 2000, Democratic primary with 3,967 votes (48.1%),^[14] and won the November 5, 2002, general election with 8,300 votes (53.7%) against Republican nominee Allen Shishido.^[15]
• In 2002, redistricted to District 6, and with Democratic Senator Avery Chumbley retired, English was unopposed for the September 21, 2002, Democratic primary, winning with 4,884 votes,^[16] and the November 5, 2002, general election.^[17]
• In 2004, English was unopposed for the September 18, 2004, Democratic primary, winning with 4,675 votes,^[18] and won the three-way November 2, 2004, general election with 12,362 votes (67.0%) against Republican nominee Robb Finberg and Green Party candidate Shaun Stenshol.^[19]
• In 2008, English was unopposed for the September 20, 2008, Democratic primary, winning with 4,974 votes,^[20] and won the November 4, 2008, general election with 14,030 votes (70.7%) against Independent candidate John Blumer-Buell.^[21]
• In 2012, redistricted to District 7, and with Democratic Senator Gary Hooser running for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii, English won the August 11, 2012, Democratic primary with 5,456 votes (66.8%),^[22] and was unopposed for the November 6, 2012, general election.^[23]

External links

• Official page at the Hawaii State Legislature
• Campaign site

Notes and References

1. Web site: Senator J. Kalani English . . Honolulu, Hawaii . December 5, 2013.
2. Web site: Jamie Kalani English's Biography . . December 5, 2013.
3. News: Harlow. Casey. State Senator Kalani English to Retire, Citing Health Reasons. April 28, 2021. Hawaii Public Radio. February 14, 2022.
4. News: Tanji. Melissa. Lynn DeCoite is appointed to Senate District 7 seat. June 18, 2021. Maui News. February 14, 2022.
5. U.S. Department of Justice. Two Hawaii Legislators Charged with Honest Services Fraud. February 8, 2022. Honolulu. February 14, 2022.
6. News: . Former Senate majority leader, 2nd lawmaker charged with taking big bribes for legislative action. February 8, 2022. Hawaii News Now. February 14, 2022.
7. News: Lovell. Blaze. Two Hawaii Lawmakers Charged In Bribery Scheme Over Cesspool Legislation. February 8, 2022. Honolulu Civil Beat. February 14, 2022.
8. News: Lovell. Blaze. Former State Lawmaker English Sentenced To More Than Three Years In Federal Prison. July 5, 2022. Honolulu Civil Beat. July 5, 2022.
9. News: . Former Hawaiʻi Senator J. Kalani English sentenced to 40 months in federal prison. July 5, 2022. Maui Now. July 5, 2022.
10. News: Daysog. Rick. Ex-Senate majority leader at center of bribery scandal sentenced to federal prison. July 5, 2022. Hawaii News Now. July 5, 2022.
11. Web site: Klug. Lisa. A small island of Judaism in Hawaiian politics. Times of Israel. 20 July 2016.
12. Web site: December 11, 2000 . Resolution No. 00-176 Expressing appreciation to former councilmember J. Kalani English .
13. Web site: Alumni. Pacific Century Fellows Program. April 18, 2021.
14. Web site: Open Primary Election 2000 - State of Hawaii - Statewide September 23, 2000 . Hawaii Office of Elections . Honolulu, Hawaii . 1 . December 5, 2013.
15. Web site: General Election - State of Hawaii - Statewide November 7, 2000 . Hawaii Office of Elections . Honolulu, Hawaii . 1 . December 5, 2013.
16. Web site: Open Primary Election 2002 - State of Hawaii - Statewide September 21, 2002 . Hawaii Office of Elections . Honolulu, Hawaii . 2 . December 5, 2013.
17. Web site: General Election 2002 - State of Hawaii - Statewide November 5, 2002 . Hawaii Office of Elections . Honolulu, Hawaii . 1 . December 5, 2013.
18. Web site: Open Primary 2004 - State of Hawaii - Statewide September 18, 2004 . Hawaii Office of Elections . Honolulu, Hawaii . 1 . December 5, 2013.
19. Web site: General Election 2004 - State of Hawaii - Statewide November 2, 2004 . Hawaii Office of Elections . Honolulu, Hawaii . 1 . December 5, 2013.
20. Web site: Primary Election 2008 - State of Hawaii - Statewide September 20, 2008 . Hawaii Office of Elections . Honolulu, Hawaii . 1 . December 5, 2013.
21. Web site: General Election - State of Hawaii - Statewide November 4, 2008 . Hawaii Office of Elections . Honolulu, Hawaii . 1 . December 5, 2013.
22. Web site: Primary Election 2012 - State of Hawaii - Statewide August 11, 2012 . Hawaii Office of Elections . Honolulu, Hawaii . 1 . December 5, 2013.
23. Web site: Hawaii General 2012 - State of Hawaii - Statewide November 6, 2012 . Hawaii Office of Elections . Honolulu, Hawaii . 1 . December 5, 2013.