Sylvia Luke

Sylvia Jung Luke (née Chang, born December 15, 1967) is a South Korean–born American attorney and politician who is serving as the 16th lieutenant governor of Hawaii. She served as a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives for 24 years, from 1998 until her election as lieutenant governor in 2022. She is the first Korean American politician ever elected to a statewide office in the United States.

Early life and education
Sylvia Luke was born Sylvia Eun Jung Chang (장은정) on December 15, 1967, in Seoul, South Korea. Because her Korean name, Eun, means “silver,” her mother gave her the English name Sylvia.

When she was nine years old, her family moved to Hawai‘i and she started school at Queen Kaahumanu Elementary School. She could speak only a few words of English and recalls how her homeroom teacher volunteered to coach her daily after school. She later attended Lincoln Elementary School, Kawananakoa Middle School and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1985.

While a junior and senior at Roosevelt High School, Luke conducted independent research at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa on genetics in entomology. This experience led her to become a strong supporter of Early College, a program that allows high school students to take college classes and earn credits.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and a Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco School of Law. She also spent a semester studying international studies at Yonsei University in Korea.

Early career
Luke consecutively served from January 1999 until 2013 in the Hawaii House of Representatives for the 26th district, and from January 2013 until 2022 for the 25th district. In addition to serving as a legislator, she worked as an attorney in private practice.

Hawaii House of Representatives
For 24 years, Luke served in the Hawaii House of Representatives as the representative for Makiki, Punchbowl, Nuuanu, Dowsett Highlands, Pacific Heights and Pauoa. 

She has served as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns, Vice Speaker from 2001 to 2004, Chair of the House Select Committee on War Preparedness, and Chair of the House Committee on Judiciary from 2005 to 2006. As Judiciary Chair, Luke was instrumental in passing laws to require lifetime registration for the worst sex offenders and all convicted felons to submit DNA samples and hand impressions.

Chair of House Committee on Finance (2013-2022)
Luke gained a reputation as a powerful lawmaker in her leadership of the House Finance Committee, where she asked tough questions about how state money is spent. She was the first woman to chair the Finance Committee in the Legislature’s history.

Federal Reimbursements for Medicaid
Luke, along with Senator Michelle Kidani and Representative Della Au Belatti, has been instrumental in leading efforts to maximize federal reimbursements for Medicaid. Luke estimated that the Hawaii State Department of Education could potentially claim up to $50 million to $100 million more each year. Frustrated by the lack of progress from the department in recovering these funds, a legislative working group was formed to take a more proactive approach.

Special Funds
Luke took significant steps to regain control over state spending. Luke believes it is important for the Legislature to have transparency and the ability to prioritize spending, including special funds, which are dedicated accounts for specific programs. She has also tackled other complex fiscal issues, such as addressing temporary hires and introducing legislation for regular reviews of tax credits and exemptions. Luke's efforts aimed to ensure accountability, effective allocation of public funds, and the Legislature's ability to fulfill its responsibilities.

COVID-19 Pandemic Response
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Luke worked with federal, state, and county partners to discuss how to best allocate the federal relief funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) to address public health and safety while navigating issues with balancing the state budget. Using information from the House Select Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness, which worked with representatives from local and state government, private industry, and nonprofit agencies and organizations to inform the House of Representatives on the State's economic and financial preparedness, funding was allocated for rent subsidies, unemployment insurance, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for schools and hospitals.

When Hawai‘i’s unemployment rate rose from one of the lowest in the country to the highest in April 2020, Luke worked with legislative leadership to establish a satellite unemployment insurance claims center at the Convention Center, where hundreds of state employees volunteered to help process the backlog of over 160,000 unemployment claims. She also helped direct federal funding to support local business recovery efforts through the Hawai‘I Restaurant Card program.

In 2021, Governor Ige’s executive budget proposed cuts to programs like HIV prevention and treatment, tuberculosis control, prenatal care, and sexual assault treatment. The COVID-19 relief funds helped Luke's committee to prevent these cuts of $80 million in social services, including support for low-income families, cash support for child care, senior citizen support, and crime victim compensation.

Lieutenant governor of Hawai'i

2022 campaign for lieutenant governor

In 2021, Luke announced her intention to run for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii. She stated that she would work to implement laws she helped to pass to increase affordable housing, ensure that all 3-4-year olds have access to preschool, increase broadband capacity and use unused school lands for teacher housing.

During the race, the Be Change Now super PAC spent $1.2 million opposing Luke, and $2.9 million to support her opponent former City councilmember Ikaika Anderson, setting the state record for the most money spent by a PAC for a single race in Hawaii.

Luke was inaugurated as the 16th Lieutenant Governor of Hawai‘i on December 5, 2022.

Tenure

Universal Access to Preschool (Ready Keiki)
In her inauguration speech, Luke described her experiences as a working mother and how important access to preschools and child care is to families who depend on them, citing it as a cost-of-living issue.

In January 2023, Luke launched the Ready Keiki initiative to expand preschool services statewide and build hundreds of classrooms to increase the state's capacity to serve underserved children. The plan includes renovating classrooms at Department of Education elementary schools, expanding state subsidies provided under the Preschool Open Doors program to low- and moderate-income families, and creating teaching classrooms at high schools and college campuses.

Broadband Access
Luke is working with departments across the state government to maximize the flow of federal money into Hawaiʻi’s broadband access and coordinate federal funding strategies.

Secretary of State Modernization Efforts
Luke plans to modernize many of the Secretary of State responsibilities and duties for the public, including name changes, international document certifications, and administrative rules processing, including a searchable database. The state's Apostille system has largely remained unchanged since 1960. In 2023, House Bill 964, which passed the Legislature, would have increased the $1 fee to help fund upgrades including a new online filing system. Despite no testimony offered in opposition, Governor Green later received feedback and issued a veto which Luke agreed to.

Annual State Employees’ Food Drive
Luke launched the 24th Annual State Employees' Food Drive to support the Hawaii Foodbank. The kickoff was held at a Hawaii Rainbow Warriors baseball game for the first time in its history. Luke also led the inaugural Food Drive Fest at the Hawaii State Capitol.

2023 Maui and Hawaii Island Fires

Luke served as acting Governor during the start of the August 2023 fires on Hawaii Island and Maui. Luke immediately declared a state of emergency and issued an emergency proclamation which activated the National Guard and authorized expenditures for disaster relief. 

Tasked by Governor Green with facilitating essential relief for Maui residents, Luke announced a coordinated effort with Mahi Pono, Maui Economic Opportunity, and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement to distribute donations for those affected by the Maui fires. A donation site at Maui's Queen Ka'ahumanu Center was set-up and is led by a partnership between Lt. Governor Luke, the County of Maui, Mahi Pono, Salvation Army, and Feed My Sheep.

Luke also worked with the Council of Native Hawaiian Advancement and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to open a new Maui Relief Storage Facility, a 30,000 square feet warehouse to manage Oahu-based donations headed for victims of the Maui fires.

Awards and Recognitions
Friends of the Library of Hawaii Legislator of the Year, 2022
AARP Hawai'i Retirement Savings Champion, 2022
Hawai'i Restaurant Association Hall of Fame Industry Advocate, 2022
Hawai'i Dental Association Legislator of the Year, 2022
Adult Friends for Youth "Pearl Hero", 2022
Healthcare Association of Hawai'i Achievement in Advocacy Award, 2019
Hawaii Farm Bureau Legislator of the Year, 2017
AARP Hawaii Certificate of Appreciation for CARE Act, 2016
Guide Dogs of Hawaii Certificate of Appreciation for supporting Visually Impaired Children in Hawaii, 2016
Hawaii State Hospital Door to Hawaii's Future for supporting the Goddard Project, 2015
US Japan Council's Asian American Leadership Program Delegate, 2014
Hawaii Women Lawyers Distinguished Service Award, 2014
Healthcare Association of Hawai'i State Representative of the Year, 2014
Hawaii Wholesale Liquor Dealers Association Legislator of the Year Award, 2013
Easter Seals Hawaii Certificate of Appreciation, 2013
Humane Society of the United States Humane State Legislator Award, 2006
Republic of Korea National Assembly Congratulatory Award, 2006
AARP Hawaii Certificate of Appreciation for Consumer Protection, 2006
Korean American Coalition Pioneer Award in Leadership, 2003
Hawaii Jaycees Three Outstanding Young Persons, 2001
Hawaii Technology Trade Association Outstanding Civic Leadership Award, 2000

Community involvement and affiliations
Nuuanu Valley Association
Pacific Heights Coalition
Roosevelt High School Alumni Association
Kawananakoa Middle School PTSA
Pauoa School PTA
Nuuanu Elementary School PTA
Pauoa HI-PAL Baseball

Personal life
She is married to Michael Luke and has one son. The couple met in college while both were serving as senators for the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii.

Electoral history
1998 When Republican Representative Quentin Kawānanakoa retired and left the District 26 seat open, she won the three-way September 19, 1998 Democratic Primary with 1,476 votes (44.9%), and won the November 3, 1998 General election with 4,914 votes (54.4%) against Republican nominee Christopher Dawson.
2000 she was unopposed for the September 23, 2000 Democratic Primary, winning with 3,400 votes, and won the November 5, 2002 General election with 4,344 votes (54.4%) against Republican nominee David Pang.
2002 she was unopposed for the September 21, 2002 Democratic Primary, winning with 3,474 votes, and won the November 5, 2002 General election with 5,317 votes (57.3%) against Republican nominee Signe Godfrey. who had been redistricted from District 6.
2004 she was unopposed for the September 18, 2004 Democratic Primary, winning with 3,520 votes, and won the November 2, 2004 General election with 6,245 votes (62.5%) against Republican nominee Bob Tom.
2006 Luke and Tom were both unopposed for their September 26, 2006 primaries, setting up a rematch; she won the November 7, 2006 General election with 4,918 votes (60.1%) against Tom.
2008 she was unopposed for the September 20, 2008 Democratic Primary, winning with 3,550 votes, and was unopposed for the November 4, 2008 General election.
2010 she won the September 18, 2010 Democratic Primary with 4,688 votes (75.7%), and won the November 2, 2010 General election with 6,189 votes (69.5%) against Republican nominee Norm Katz.
2012 Redistricted to District 25, and with Democratic Representative Della Au Belatti redistricted to District 24, she was unopposed for both the August 11, 2012 Democratic Primary, winning with 4,319 votes, and the November 6, 2012 General election.
2022 she won the 13 August 2022 Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Democratic Primary, race called by The Associated Press.

See also
List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States

References

External links

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1967 births
Living people
21st-century American politicians
21st-century American women politicians
American women lawyers
American women of Korean descent in politics
Lawyers from Hawaii
Lieutenant Governors of Hawaii
Democratic Party members of the Hawaii House of Representatives
People from Seoul
Politicians from Honolulu
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa alumni
University of San Francisco School of Law alumni
Women state legislators in Hawaii