Josh Green

Joshua Booth Green is a former member of the Hawaii State Senate, representing the 3rd district from 2008 to 2018. A member of the Democratic Party, he has had a diverse career as both a physician and a politician. Following his tenure in the state legislature, Green served as the 15th lieutenant governor of Hawaii from 2018 to 2022 and is currently the ninth governor of Hawaii, having taken office in December 2022.

Early life and career

Josh Green was born on February 11, 1970, in Kingston, New York, into a Jewish family. He spent his formative years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he attended Quaker Valley High School. Green graduated in 1988 as one of four valedictorians, demonstrating academic excellence during his time there. His involvement in school activities included serving as president of the Key Club and participating in soccer and tennis.

Green pursued higher education at Swarthmore College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in anthropology in 1992. Following his undergraduate studies, he attended the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, obtaining his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1997. He completed a residency in family medicine at UPMC Shadyside in 2000. His commitment to education was recognized in 2022 when Swarthmore College awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Science.

After completing his residency, Green joined the National Health Service Corps, which assigned him to Hawaii. There, he worked as a physician on the Big Island, practicing family medicine and working in emergency rooms. His role often placed him in rural areas where he was the sole physician available to the community. Even during his time in the state legislature, he continued to practice medicine on weekends in rural emergency departments.

Green's contributions to the medical field have been acknowledged through multiple awards, including being named Physician of the Year by the Hawaiʻi Medical Association in 2009 and again in 2022, recognizing his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Legislative service

Green's political career began when he was elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives in 2004, representing the 6th district, which includes a rural area in the western part of the Big Island. He served two terms in the House before transitioning to the Hawaii State Senate in 2008, where he represented the 3rd district, encompassing the southwestern portion of the Big Island.

During his time in the Senate, Green was reelected in both 2012 and 2014. He held significant leadership roles, including serving as the majority leader and chairing the Committee on Health and Human Services. His legislative work focused on various health-related issues, reflecting his background as a physician.

One of Green's notable achievements in the Senate was his advocacy for legislation aimed at supporting children with autism. He championed an insurance mandate for autism treatment, known as Luke's Law, which took effect in January 2016. In 2018, he worked on legislation to protect parents with disabilities from having their children removed due to their disabilities. Additionally, Green was instrumental in raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco products and electronic cigarettes from 18 to 21, making Hawaii the first state in the nation to implement such a measure.

Green chose not to seek reelection for his Senate seat in 2018, concluding his legislative service at that time. He was succeeded by Dru Kanuha, who currently serves as the majority leader.

Policy focus and district

Throughout his legislative career, Green's policy focus was heavily influenced by his medical background and commitment to public health. His work in the Senate was characterized by initiatives aimed at improving health care access and addressing social issues affecting his constituents. The 3rd district, which he represented, includes diverse communities on the Big Island, and Green's legislative efforts often reflected the unique needs of these populations.

Green's advocacy for health care reform extended beyond autism legislation. He was involved in various initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas where access to medical services can be limited. His experience as a practicing physician provided him with firsthand insight into the challenges faced by residents in his district, allowing him to advocate effectively for policies that addressed these issues.

In addition to health care, Green's legislative agenda included a focus on social justice and equity. His efforts to protect parents with disabilities and raise the legal age for tobacco products demonstrated a commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all residents of Hawaii.

Green's tenure in the Hawaii State Senate was marked by a dedication to public service, with a clear emphasis on health and social issues. His background as a physician informed his approach to governance, allowing him to bridge the gap between medical practice and legislative action. His work has had a lasting impact on the policies affecting the health and well-being of the people in his district and the state of Hawaii as a whole.